Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday, March 16, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been overshadowed by a contentious penalty decision that has drawn fierce criticism from rival fans on social media. The match, which saw Lionel Messi and his team clinch a late win, has been marred by accusations of biased officiating and claims that Major League Soccer (MLS) is favoring the Argentine superstar.
Atlanta United took an early lead in the 11th minute through Emmanuel Latte Lath’s headed goal, but Messi quickly equalized with a skillful chip over goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 20th minute. The game remained tightly contested, but the turning point came in the second half when a potential handball by Inter Miami’s Federico Redondo was overlooked by the referee.
Aleksei Miranchuk’s corner appeared to strike Redondo’s arm inside the box, sparking appeals for a penalty from Atlanta players and fans. However, the referee waved play on, and Inter Miami capitalized on the decision just a minute later. Substitute Fafa Picault headed home a late winner in the 89th minute, sealing the victory for the Herons.
The decision not to award a penalty has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with fans accusing MLS of rigging the league in Messi’s favor. One fan wrote, “Can’t wait for Messi to leave MLS. The league is clearly rigged for him,”while another added, “Clear robbery. Shameful.”
More scathing comments followed, with one user stating, “MIAMI IS THE MOST CORRUPT CLUB IN MLS HISTORY. CLEAR penalty for Atlanta, not given or checked, then Miami proceed to score from a corner. Dumba league.”Others sarcastically noted, “Offsides and handballs don’t apply to Miami,” highlighting the growing frustration among rival supporters.
Despite the controversy, Inter Miami’s victory keeps them in strong contention in the MLS standings. However, the backlash from fans raises questions about the integrity of officiating in the league, particularly in high-profile matches involving Messi.
As the debate rages on, MLS officials may face increased scrutiny over their handling of key decisions, especially with the league’s global audience continuing to grow. For now, Inter Miami will celebrate the win, but the fallout from this contentious match is far from over.
Can’t Wait for Messi to Leave MLS’: Fans Fume over Rigged Competition.
