MLS has fined Lionel Messi and Inter Miami teammate Ian Fray for violating the league's rule against hands to the face, head or neck, days after Messi slapped Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during a chaotic, bench-clearing brawl that capped a 2-2 draw at Subaru Park.

The incident unfolded Wednesday, Aug. 19, when Messi and Sullivan exchanged words during the match, and Messi slapped the back of Sullivan's neck. The larger brawl erupted in the 101st minute of stoppage time, after Union's Quinn Sullivan was tackled by Miami's Yannick Bright and Gonzalo Luján. Miami defender Ian Fray then stood over Sullivan, who flipped Fray to the ground "WWE-style," according to Sports Illustrated, igniting a full-scale melee between both benches.

Two Red Cards — One Later Rescinded

Miami's Yannick Bright and Philadelphia's 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan — Quinn's younger brother — were both shown red cards in the chaos. But the league's Independent Review Panel rescinded Cavan Sullivan's red card and suspension on Friday, finding it didn't warrant ejection.

YOU DO NOT COME INTO PHILLY DOING THAT.

Former Union striker C.J. Sapong didn't hold back on the incident involving soccer's biggest global star. "Respectfully, Messi, you do not come into Philly doing that. I don't condone violence, don't get me wrong, but knowing a little bit about the Sullivan brothers and how they came up, this is a mentality that's been instilled in them from an early age," Sapong said, per Sports Illustrated.

MLS did not disclose the dollar amount of either fine, which is standard practice for the league's disciplinary committee. The same Friday ruling also fined Toronto FC's Walker Zimmerman for failing to leave the field promptly after a red card against Charlotte FC, and Minnesota United's Anthony Markanich for simulation, according to Al Jazeera.

What's Next

Neither Messi nor Fray was suspended, and both are eligible to play Saturday when Inter Miami hosts Toronto FC. Messi, 39, has anchored Miami's push up the Eastern Conference table this season and remains the league's biggest draw both on the field and at the box office.