Lionel Messi expressed his anger over the new Major League Soccer (MLS) sideline rule that forced him to leave the ground for two minutes.
According to ESPN, an Inter Miami player, after exiting the pitch during the match against Montreal on Saturday night, said, “These types of rules... it's going bad.”
As per the new MLS sideline rule, “If the referee stops play due to a potential player injury in which the player remains on the ground for more than 15 seconds, and the medical staff enters the field of play, the player may be required to leave the field of play for two minutes."
In the 40th minute of the match, George Campbell, Montreal, defended fouled Messi and forced him to go down holding his knee.
Messi left the pitch at a crucial moment after the foul inspired a free kick for Miami in a prime position for the player to score.
After the game, Miami coach Gerardo Martino emphasised, “There are situations that must be revised.”
While expressing the team’s frustration over the new rule coach said, “In Leo's situation, he was clearly fouled. The player deserved a yellow card, which would mean Messi would've never left the field for two minutes. As I understand it, the team that suffered the foul was punished.
Martino further added, “With these new rule changes, there are situations that must be revised. The infraction was clear and was a yellow card, and ultimately, it was us that lost Leo for two minutes."
However, Messi’s Inter Miami managed to win the match with 3-2.
