Major League Soccer has officially exonerated Lionel Messi after conducting an investigation into video footage that showed the soccer superstar entering what appeared to be a restricted area following Inter Miami’s season-opening loss, league officials announced Sunday.
The incident took place Saturday night after Inter Miami’s 3-0 defeat to LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. According to an MLS spokesperson who spoke with Reuters, league officials examined the footage and concluded that Messi did not breach any regulations since the space he entered was neither the officials’ changing room nor a prohibited zone.
Video from the incident shows teammate Luis Suarez attempting to hold back Messi by grabbing his arm, but the Argentine soccer star proceeded to walk through the doorway located in the lower levels of the stadium before emerging shortly afterward.
League officials explained that any truly off-limits areas at the facility would have been clearly marked with appropriate signage, according to the spokesperson.
Inter Miami representatives had not provided a response to requests for comment as of Sunday.
The defending MLS champions began their season with the disappointing shutout loss in front of 75,673 spectators, marking the largest crowd for any MLS season opener in the league’s history.
