Lionel Messi Avoids Suspension Despite Fifth Yellow Card in MLS
Inter Miami fans experienced a moment of concern when Lionel Messi received a yellow card during the recent 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati. This was his fifth yellow card of the regular season, which typically implies an automatic one-match suspension for accumulating such cards in most leagues worldwide. However, the Argentine forward will participate in the upcoming vital match against the New England Revolution.
The reason for this exception lies in a unique rule in the American league’s guidelines, termed the Good Behavior Incentive. Unlike many traditional leagues where suspensions ensue upon reaching a disciplinary threshold, Major League Soccer encourages fair play by allowing players to have their yellow cards reduced: a player can have one yellow card deducted from their total if they go five consecutive matches without receiving a booking or other disciplinary action.
However, this benefit has a limitation. Each player may utilize this up to three times in the regular season. Once a player exhausts this allowance, any subsequent bookings will add up without any deductions, irrespective of the number of matches they manage to play without facing disciplinary measures.
In Messi’s situation, he has already seen two yellow cards removed from his record due to consistent clean play. He managed to go five matches without receiving a booking following the yellow cards against Orlando City and Nashville, and another ten matches without any disciplinary action separated his last booking from the one he received against Atlanta.
Consequently, even though Messi earned another yellow card against Cincinnati, his official tally only reflects three bookings in the league. Therefore, he remains available for selection this Sunday against the New England Revolution on Matchday 33 of the regular season, bolstering Inter Miami’s hopes for a playoff spot.
