FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The owner of Inter Miami CF called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi for skipping Wednesday night’s MLS All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment.
“They don’t understand the decision,” owner Jorge Mas said Friday of the one-game suspension for each player. “They don’t understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension.”
Alba and Messi did not suit up for the match between MLS All-Stars and representatives of Mexico’s Liga MX in Austin, Texas, despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule that included this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Mas said the club made the decision for both players to sit out the MLS All-Star Game.
Any player who doesn’t participate in the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in his club’s next match.
The players will miss Miami’s home match Saturday against FC Cincinnati, which sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. Alba and Messi practiced with the club Friday in anticipation of playing in Saturday’s match before MLS announced the suspension.