The referee has been sanctioned by North America's controlling soccer body for his post-game actions
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Inter Miami beat Sporting KC 1-0 in CONCACAF Champions CupLionel Messi scored game-winnerCONCACAF has now disciplined refereeGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
CONCACAF announced that they have disciplined referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava for requesting an autograph from Lionel Messi after Inter Miami CF's CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Sporting Kansas City Wednesday at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City.
After a 1-0 victory for the with the winner being scored by the Argentine himself – the referee had reportedly approached Messi and asked for his jersey. However, it's now been clarified that Ortiz Nava actually requested an autograph for a family member with special needs.
His action were deemed against the code of conduct for CONCACAF officials.
"CONCACAF is aware of the interaction that occurred between referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava and player Lionel Messi immediately following the final whistle of last night's Concacaf Champions Cup match between Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami CF," a CONCACAF spokesperson told ESPN in a statement. "Upon investigation, CONCACAF has learned that the referee approached the player to request an autograph for a family member with special needs.
"The referee's conduct does not align with the Confederation's Code of Conduct for match officials and existing processes for these types of requests. The referee has acknowledged his mistake, apologized for the incident, and accepted the disciplinary action CONCACAF has applied."
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Sporting themselves made a statement, sharing they informed both MLS and CONCACAF of the situation upon learning of the request.
"We informed CONCACAF and Major League Soccer about the incident after the match against Inter Miami CF on Wednesday. We await further review of the matter and the action CONCACAF will take," the team said.
CONCACAF has not disclosed the specifics of the discipline.
DID YOU KNOW?
The midweek clash with Sporting was delayed 24 hours due to frigid and subzero temperatures in Kansas City. When the match was played Wednesday night, the kickoff temperature was four degrees Farenheit with a "feels like" temperature of nine degrees below zero.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MIAMI?
Miami take on New York City FC Saturday night to open the 2025 MLS season. Leg two of their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Sporting takes place in South Florida on Feb. 25.