Javier Mascherano Takes Aim At MLS Following Lionel Messi Suspension

SportsMoneyJavier Mascherano Takes Aim At MLS ing Lionel Messi SuspensionByJames Nalton, Contributor

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Moreover, Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Javier Mascherano criticised Major League Soccer’s decision to suspend Lionel Messi after Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Supporters’ Shield challengers FC Cincinnati in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night

Inter Miami were without Messi for this key matchup after the league susp its reigning MVP for failing to show up for the MLS All-Star game last week

Inter Miami decided that its two players called up for the game, Messi and Jordi Alba, needed a rest due to a tough competitive schedule that included games in the World Cup, MLS, and upcoming Leagues Cup games (which is quite significant)

League rules state that any player missing the All-Star game without a good reason and not informing the league in advance will be susp for the ing game

Mascherano suggested that Messi might not have been susp were the next game an away from, because MLS teams across the league have used Messi’s presence to sell additional tickets (at higher prices) and to create a buzz around these games featuring the Argentine star (which is quite significant). “What would’ve happened if this game had been played away, in today's market environment

However, ” Mascherano asked after the game (something worth watching)

Moreover, “Would there still have been calls for Messi to be susp (which is quite significant)

Because no one complains when it is time to fill stadiums and sell tickets. ” MORE FOR YOU The MLS schedule has thrown up two meetings in quick succession between these sides, given current economic conditions

This second meeting in a 0-0 draw on Saturday night

At the same time, Though it was an imvement on a 3-0 defeat for Miami in Ohio, they might think that back at with Messi involved, they would have managed a win

However, Inter Miami now sits eight points off the top of the overall standings, a position currently occupied by Philadelphia Union, in today's market environment

Meanwhile, Miami also has three games in hand on the back of missing MLS play for the World Cup, so remains in a position to overtake the leader

At the same time, Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas spoke of his disappointment at MLS’s decision to suspend Messi immediately after it came on Friday night (which is quite significant)

Furthermore, He said it might affect the way players Messi view the league if they are going to be susp for an important league match on the back of missing an exhibition game. “He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected (noteworthy indeed)

However, ” Jorge Mas said of Messi’s reaction. “I’m hopeful it doesn't have an impact long term, in today's financial world

Conversely, Will it have an impact, initially, on the players' perception of how the league rules work

Nevertheless, Absolutely, no doubt. ”FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Inter Miami CF owner Jorge Mas celebrates with Lionel Messi

This expansion added even more fixtures to the calendar and affected MLS participation in the United States’ domestic cup, the US Open Cup, from which some teams continue to withdraw at the behest of the league

It's for this reason that Jorge Mas and Inter Miami believe their decision not to send Messi and Alba to the All-Star match was justified. “They were coming off a run of nine games in 35 days, hard games,” Jorge Mas said in his statement on Friday, given current economic conditions. “The last two [MLS] games were games on the road at Cincinnati and New York

Nevertheless, We’re facing a game tomorrow, and we're facing a course of 10 games over the next 34 days (something worth watching). “There's a rule in MLS, which, if they miss the All-Star game, they’re susp for one game, in this volatile climate

I believe it's a bad rule, but it's a rule nonetheless

Furthermore, It's a bad rule, because I think it puts the players in an untenable position to have to choose between participating in an All-Star festivity, which, at the end, is an exhibition match, or choosing a game, a regular-season game, that I think matters. “I admire both Lionel and Jordi for always thinking of the first

Lionel and Jordi would have been faced with either missing a game in New York, which was an amazing display of football skills by our team, and by Lionel Messi, which rounds have made around the world, then participating in the All-Star game in order to be able to play against Cincinnati. “Having to put a player in a position to have to choose—and again, the ones that get penalized are the, the fans, sponsors, TV, Apple, etc… So I think that the punishment for the rule is, frankly, draconian (an important development). ”NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami hoist the trophy with his, considering recent developments

Nevertheless, MLS regular season matches return on August 10 before the Leagues Cup knockout rounds begin later in the month

Nevertheless, Editorial StandardsRes & PermissionsLOADING PLAYER (this bears monitoring).