Lionel Messi evinces dissatisfaction over the fresh MLS regulation, waiting on the sidelines before rejoining the playing field.
During a match recently, Inter Miami found themselves trailing 2-0 against Montréal. When it was time for a free-kick, Messi, who had been tackled and needed treatment, wasn't available to take it.
Just moments before, Messi had been fouled by Montréal's defender George Campbell, resulting in a free-kick opportunity for his team. However, as he received medical attention, he was deemed "unfit to continue" leading to him being replaced by another player. This situation triggered the MLS' "Off-Field Treatment Rule" implemented in April.
This rule goes as follows: "If a player with a suspected injury remains on the ground for more than 15 seconds, the referee will stop play and call on medical staff to assess the player. The player must then be taken off the field for at least two minutes for further examination." As Messi could not return to the field, he went to a TV camera on the sidelines and expressed his frustration in Spanish saying, "With these types of rules..."
Even without Messi taking the free-kick, Matías Rojas stepped up and scored, making it 2-1. Miami put the pressure on Montréal to equalize and eventually came out victorious with a 3-2 scoreline, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games. The team's scorers were Luis Suárez and Benjamin Cremaschi.
Following the match, coach Gerardo Martino wasn't happy with the outcome and expressed his opinions, "There are some rules that need reviewing."
If Campbell had been given a yellow or red card for the foul on Messi, the two-minute rule wouldn't have applied. However, it seems there's a loophole in the rule which costs the team key players when fouled yet not carded.
According to the MLS rule book, exceptions to the two-minute rule include: "head injuries, goalkeeper injuries, severe medical events, and fouls resulting in yellow or red cards." Although Messi was clearly fouled, he was not given a card, prompting Martino's call for revisions to the rule.
"The player receiving the foul should have received a yellow card, and if so, Messi would've never had to leave the field for two minutes," Martino stated, according to ESPN.
The MLS promptly replied to this incident with, "We're aware of the situation and the concerns raised by Inter Miami and will look into it further."
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Despite Messi's absence due to the MLS' "Off-Field Treatment Rule," Matiás Rojas scored from the resulting free-kick, keeping Inter Miami's football momentum alive.
Disappointed by the application of the rule, Martino pointed out that if Campbell had been carded for fouling Messi, the two-minute rule wouldn't have come into effect.
Source: edition.cnn.com
