India, Aug. 22 -- Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer after making contact with Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan in the head and neck area during Inter Miami's heated 2-2 draw on Wednesday. Inter Miami defender Ian Fray was also fined for a separate incident involving Sullivan during second-half stoppage time, MLS announced on Friday.

The incident involving Messi took place deep into stoppage time, when the Argentina captain exchanged words with Sullivan near midfield before appearing to slap him on the back of the neck. The confrontation briefly escalated as Sullivan turned towards Messi, although neither player was booked for the incident during the match. MLS later reviewed the footage ...