MLS has cleared Messi following a review of the post-match video

A review by Major League Soccer concluded that Lionel Messi did not breach any policy when he followed the match officials through a doorway after Inter Miami’s season-opening 3-0 loss at LAFC, according to a league spokesperson on Sunday.

MLS reviewed the video of the Saturday incident. They concluded that the area Messi entered was neither the referees’ locker room nor a restricted zone, and thus no policy was breached, according to a spokesperson for Reuters.

In the video, Luis Suarez of Inter Miami is observed trying to hold Messi back by the arm, yet the Argentine successfully navigates through the doorway in the depths of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before appearing again moments later.

The spokesperson stated that there would have been clear signage in the restricted areas at the venue.

Inter Miami did not provide an immediate response to Reuters’ request for comment.

The defending champions, Miami, began the season with a 3-0 defeat in a match that attracted 75,673 spectators, marking the highest attendance for an MLS opening weekend in history.