New MLS rule angers Messi and his coach

Argentine Lionel Messi, the star of the American soccer team Inter Miami, sparked controversy after appearing frustrated with the application of a new rule that forced him to stay off the pitch for two minutes.

CNN reported that Messi looked frustrated on the bench when a new MLS rule prevented him from immediately returning to the stadium after examining the injury.

With Inter Miami trailing 2-0 against Montreal last Saturday, Messi was off the pitch when his team needed someone to take a free kick, and the Argentine had received treatment on the pitch earlier in the first half after an intervention from defender George Campbell, which led to a direct free kick, and the referee asked to remove Messi from the field to activate the new "off-court treatment rule" in the American League, which was implemented last month.

According to the rule, "If the suspected injured player remains on the ground for more than 15 seconds, the referee stops play and the medical staff enters to assess the injury, then he is removed from the field and is not allowed to participate until at least two minutes later, in order to prevent cases of alleged injury."

This rule does not apply if the opponent who caused the injury to the player is warned or expelled, and the rule states that "exceptions to the off-field treatment rule include cases of possible head injury, and the rule does not apply in cases of goalkeeper injuries, or serious injuries.

Messi appeared angry when he headed towards a TV camera on the side of the pitch, shook his head and said in Spanish "with this kind of rules...", and the moment was widely circulated on social media.

The Miami team eventually celebrated with a 3-2 victory, the team's fifth consecutive win in the league, which continued its unbeaten run to 7 games.

After the game, Miami coach Gerardo Martino told reporters there were rules that "need to be reviewed."