Why Lionel Messi will not be suspended in MLS despite five yellow cards
The Argentine forward is cleared to play in Inter Miami's next match due to a specific MLS disciplinary rule.
Lionel Messi will be available for Inter Miami's next match against New England Revolution, despite having accumulated five yellow cards during the MLS regular season. The Argentine forward avoided an automatic suspension thanks to a specific provision in the league's regulations.
While in most international football competitions receiving five yellow cards results in a one-match ban, MLS utilizes a different mechanism. Since 2007, the league has implemented a policy that rewards players for maintaining good disciplinary conduct over a series of consecutive matches.
According to the Major League Soccer regulations, players can reduce their accumulated yellow card count if they play five consecutive matches without receiving any bookings, ejections, or additional disciplinary sanctions. For every five-game period completed under these criteria, one yellow card is deducted from the player's official record.
Messi successfully completed two such five-game streaks, allowing him to clear two yellow cards from his record. Consequently, despite accumulating five cautions throughout the campaign, his official total remains at three, leaving him eligible for the upcoming commitment.
The next match for Inter Miami takes place at Gillette Stadium against New England Revolution, as part of Matchday 33 of the regular season.