MIAMI-. The Disciplinary Committee of the CONCACAF fined the Inter Miami due to the lack of sufficient security at Chase Stadium during the April 3 game against the Monterrey of Mexico, in the Champions Cup.
The governing body of soccer in North, Central America and the Caribbean cited unspecified incidents following Miami’s 2-1 loss.
CONCACAF also did not specify the amount of the fine in the announcement it made on Wednesday, the day Miami and Lionel Messi were eliminated after falling by an aggregate score of 5-2, with a 3-1 defeat in the second leg.
“After considering the documentation and evidence gathered during its investigation, which included requesting written statements from both clubs and reviewing reports submitted by match officials, and based on the competition regulations and the applicable Disciplinary Code, the Disciplinary Committee “has fined Inter Miami CF an undisclosed amount for lack of security in its stadium,” he said.
Additionally, the Committee has warned Inter Miami CF that more severe sanctions could be imposed should incidents occur during their future matches in Concacaf club competitions.
“After considering the documentation and evidence gathered during its investigation, which included requesting written statements from both clubs and reviewing reports submitted by match officials, and based on the competition regulations and the applicable Disciplinary Code, the Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF an undisclosed amount for lack of security in its stadium,” reads the CONCACAF statement.
“Furthermore, the Committee has warned Inter Miami CF that more severe sanctions could be imposed should incidents occur during its future matches in CONCACAF club competitions.
Press reports had reported an altercation between Inter Miami players with their rivals and even with Monterrey officials, after the first leg.
In the run-up to that match, Fernando “Tano” Ortiz, Monterrey coach, fueled a controversy, saying that he trusted the talent of his team but expressed his fear that the refereeing would be influenced by the presence of Messi.
“I have never disrespected anyone about what has happened, it was an opinion like others may have. As a coach I am going to do everything possible for my team to win without disrespecting anyone,” commented the Argentine strategist once the series was resolved.
Source: AP
