![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/lionel-messi-made-secret-handshake-agreement-to-get-preferential-mls-treatment/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_messi.jpg&description=Lionel Messi has not followed MLS guidelines for media availability since joining Inter Miami, and the Argentina icon was again absent from reporters after a 0-0 mid-week draw with Inter Miami Inter Miami star Lionel Messi continues to break MLS policies regarding media availability - but he may have made a secret agreement with the league to get preferential treatment. Players are typically required to be available to reporters after all matches, but the Argentina legend hasn't obliged. According to The Athletic, Messi reached a gentleman's agreement with MLS and Inter Miami before finalising his move to America. The reported pact promised Messi the freedom to choose when he wants to speak with reporters. MLS told the Associated Press earlier this week that Messi would be available following Wednesday's match against Nashville SC. But he didn't appear after the scoreless draw. MLS has thus far minimised the issue. "There was a misunderstanding regarding Lionel Messi's media access," a spokesperson said at the start of the week. "He has not violated any guidelines for his media availability in Major League Soccer." However, MLS hasn't provided an official reason for not cracking down on Messi's ongoing absence from the media. He's given one press conference and a couple of personally sanctioned interviews. Unlike in Europe, where clubs mostly keep players away from open media access outside of mixed zones, all US sports have some sort of requirement for players to grant time to journalists after games. In some sports, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the Players' Association explicitly lays out media rules. Reporters believe access to athletes enables them to build genuine relationships and tell rich stories that fans otherwise might not learn. Pre- and post-match interviews have been the basis of some of America's best sportswriting. MLS, though, has suggested through its actions that it could become less welcoming. Officials have said the){kind=link}
Lionel Messi has not followed MLS guidelines for media availability since joining Inter Miami, and the Argentina icon was again absent from reporters after a 0-0 mid-week draw with Inter Miami
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi continues to break MLS policies regarding media availability – but he may have made a secret agreement with the league to get preferential treatment.
Players are typically required to be available to reporters after all matches, but the Argentina legend hasn’t obliged. According to The Athletic, Messi reached a gentleman’s agreement with MLS and Inter Miami before finalising his move to America.
The reported pact promised Messi the freedom to choose when he wants to speak with reporters. MLS told the Associated Press earlier this week that Messi would be available following Wednesday’s match against Nashville SC. But he didn’t appear after the scoreless draw.
MLS has thus far minimised the issue. “There was a misunderstanding regarding Lionel Messi’s media access,” a spokesperson said at the start of the week. “He has not violated any guidelines for his media availability in Major League Soccer.”