Inter Miami’s superstar, Lionel Messi, expressed his frustration with the new Major League Soccer rule that mandates an injured player to leave the field for two minutes. During a recent match against Montréal, Messi was fouled by the opposing defender, George Campbell, and had to exit the pitch for medical attention. This rule, which penalizes teams for injuries that require medical staff to intervene, forced Messi off the field at a crucial moment in the game, leaving him visibly upset on the sidelines. The Argentine forward’s displeasure was evident as he shook his head in disbelief while being treated by the medical staff.
Miami’s coach, Gerardo Martino, echoed Messi’s sentiments, expressing the team’s frustration with the new rule. Martino highlighted the unfairness of the situation, stating that the player who committed the foul should have been penalized with a yellow card. This would have prevented Messi from having to leave the field for two minutes, potentially affecting the outcome of the match. Martino emphasized the need for a review of such regulations, especially in cases where the injured player is the victim of a clear foul.
The frustration did not end with Messi’s incident, as Inter Miami encountered another rule-related issue later in the match. When Luis Suárez was substituted for Leo Campana in the 92nd minute, the fourth official delayed the change due to Suárez’s slow exit from the field. According to MLS regulations, players substituted simultaneously must leave the pitch within 10 seconds of the substitution board being raised. The delay caused Miami to play with ten men for a crucial minute in the final moments of the game, adding to the team’s grievances with the new rules.
Despite the off-field controversies, Inter Miami managed to secure a 3-2 victory over Montréal, maintaining their position at the top of the Eastern Conference table. With 27 points from 13 games and a record of 8-2-3, the team continues to lead the way in the league. However, the frustrations caused by the new MLS rules have highlighted the need for a reevaluation of the regulations to ensure fairness and reduce the impact on players and teams. The issues faced by Inter Miami serve as a reminder of the challenges posed by rule changes and the importance of addressing them promptly to maintain the integrity of the game.
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