CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP
Why Inter Miami received two CONCACAF fines ahead of Champions Cup game against Monterrey
Lionel Messi was involved in an altercation at the end of the first leg against Rayados, but The Herons will also receive an additional sanction.
The second legs of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals get underway on Tuesday, with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami hoping to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit when they face Monterrey in Mexico on Wednesday.
Will Messi start for Inter Miami against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup?
The big news ahead of the clash is that Messi is expected to be available, now over the worst of hamstring problem. The 36-year-old played the second half of the weekend draw against Colorado Rapids in MLS and appears to have come through it unscathed.
The Herons have been trying to keep a low profile following the ill-tempered defeat to Rayados last week but reappeared on Tuesday morning to fly to Monterrey. After arriving, they will finalise their preparations for the game and take part in a pre-match press conference.
Via their social media accounts, Inter Miami shared images of the squad leaving for Mexico, with Messi taking centre stage, as per usual. The Argentine could come into contention to start on Wednesday, which will add some added spice to the fixture following his post-match actions at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami to be fined for Messi altercaction
Following the first-leg controversy, the MLS side are expected to be fined not once but twice by CONCACAF.
According to journalist Santiago Fourcade, the first of the sanctions is directly related to the aftermath of the first leg, after which Monterrey coach Fernando Ortiz revealed Messi and other Inter Miami representatives had got involved in an altercation with members of his staff and the match officials.
How have The Herons breached CONCACAF’s travel regulations?
However, the Floridians are also set to receive a second penalty, this time related to their travel itinerary.
CONCACAF regulations state that clubs must complete their travelling to away matches at least 48 hours before kick-off, which Miami have failed to do.
The second leg of the Champions Cup quarter-final tie will be played on Wednesday 10 April at 10:30 p.m. ET. Mexican duo Club América and Pachuca have all but qualified for the semi-finals after big first-leg away victories, while Tigres and Columbus Crew are tied going into the second leg at Estadio Universitario.