26.02.2025 09:40
After the Inter Miami-Sporting Kansas City match, Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava, who asked for Lionel Messi's autograph, regretted his actions. The referee stated that he wanted to gift the autograph to a family member with a disability, but he received a six-month ban from football due to concerns about impartiality.
After the match between Inter Miami and Sporting Kansas City played last week, the referee who asked for Lionel Messi's autograph regretted his action.
After the match in which Inter Miami faced Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup last week, the Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava asked for an autograph from the Argentine star Lionel Messi after the final whistle.
The 36-year-old referee, who stated that he wanted the autograph to gift it to a disabled family member, was given a six-month ban from football. The North American Football Confederation (CONCACAF), which launched an investigation against Ortiz Nava due to concerns about impartiality, stated that the referee would be punished indefinitely in case of a similar violation.
On the other hand, Ortiz Nava will continue to referee in the Mexican League (Liga MX). He also officiated in the match between Puebla and Club Tijuana on Friday.