Messi's slap that is stirring the web: watch the unusual confrontation

Headlines in the United States this morning (Thursday) are dealing with a particularly tense confrontation that occurred during the dramatic MLS match between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union, which ended in a 2:2 draw. The incident in question was recorded in the late stages of the match, when Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was documented hitting the back of the neck of Philadelphia's young midfielder, Quinn Sullivan, and then confronting him directly face-to-face on the pitch.

The stormy incident, which did not receive an immediate response from the officiating crew in real-time and did not lead to punishment on the field, went viral on social media and sparked many speculations regarding the continued handling of it. Now, the footage will indeed undergo an official and in-depth review by the MLS disciplinary committee.

Touching the back of the neck or the head of an opposing player stands in complete contradiction to the strict disciplinary policy of the MLS, and the league operates mechanisms to review incidents of violent behavior that were not identified in real-time. The consequences for the Argentine may include a suspension or a heavy financial fine, especially in light of the fact that Inter Miami and Messi himself have already received punishments in the past from the disciplinary committee for similar violations of the confrontation policy.