Lionel Messi accused of explicit insult towards MLS referee in furious exchange
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Lionel Messi escaped a red card despite being accused of swearing at the referee during Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw with Charlotte FC.
The Argentina icon was on the scoresheet during the dramatic MLS clash on Saturday night but left the pitch in rage.
Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were furious with the referee for denying them two penalties in the game’s dying moments.
One was chalked off after a VAR review and Luis Suarez thought he was clattered by the goalkeeper in stoppage time, but was not awarded a spot-kick.
According to Argentinian newspaper Ole, via Mundo Deportivo, Messi called the referee a ‘mean-spirited son of a b****’ after the full-time whistle, receiving a yellow card for his protests.
The point still means Inter Miami can wrap up the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the best team in the MLS regular season, in their next fixture against closest rivals Columbus Crew.
A win would also see the Florida side secure No.1 seeding in the East for the MLS Cup.
Inter Miami have already qualified for the play-offs and they can still break the record for most points in a regular season by taking maximum points from their remaining three games.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said after the game: "I wish this were a 34-date tournament and the one that scores the most points would be the champion.
“Then this would be fabulous, we see it with good eyes, to be the best team of the regular phase. But the truth is that we would all feel very empty if we do not fight for the championship.
"So, yes, we have a very important game, but even so, the remaining games – Toronto and New England – will also be important and decisive games.
“I think we will surely be in the fight until the last matchday."
Messi, who scored his 15th goal in 16 league games, has missed a significant chunk of the MLS regular season due to injury and continues to work his way back to full fitness.
"Leo is going to get better and better as he adds 90 minutes," Martino added.
"Obviously, Leo does not need to do differentiated physical work in training, but he needs a rhythm of competition, which gives me the idea that he is going to reach the playoffs very well because in addition to the games with us he has the games with the Argentinian national team.
“So, we have high hopes that he will come into the playoffs in very good shape."
