MLS fans win lawsuit after Lionel Messi no-show
Major League Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps will have to pay out as part of a class-action lawsuit filed by supporters.
The importance of Lionel Messi to MLS cannot be overstated and the Argentine’s value was quantified this week in a class-action lawsuit, settled in favor of a group of fans. MLS and the Vancouver Whitecaps will have to pay out a substantial amount of money in response to a lawsuit which claimed that both parties incorrectly suggesting that Messi would be taking part in a game.
The Athletic reports that MLS and the Whitecaps have been ordered to pay out after Messi missed a 2024 game with Inter Miami. Messi had featured prominently in the pre-game publicity content, pushing up the price of the tickets for fans.
Along with Messi, both Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets did not feature for Inter Miami in the game, denying fans the chance to see the former Barcelona legends in the flesh.
“We understand people’s frustration, but we have to look out for the club and our players. We understand that Messi has revolutionized the league, but we have to look out for the health of the team,” declared then-Inter Miami coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino after the game, which Miami won 2-1.
How much will the Messi absence cost?
Now, two years later, it has been revealed that MLS and the Vancouver Whitecaps will have to pay out around $347,000 as a result of the lawsuit, but it won’t be going to supporters. Instead, the money will be split between three sports-related charities: KidSport BC, Canada SCORES and BGC South Coast BC. The settlement also included promises to change ticket-selling practices to provide greater clarity to customers.
A statement from the Whitecaps reads: “The settlement in the class-action lawsuit related to the May 25, 2024 MLS regular season match against Inter Miami has received approval from the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The settlement will be implemented in accordance with the terms of the agreement.”
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.