A referee has reportedly been banned for six months after asking Lionel Messi for his autograph at the end of an Inter Miami game.

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• Referee asked Messi for an autograph
• CONCACAF open disciplinary action
• Official reportedly banned for six months

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava approached Messi at the final whistle of Miami's CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Kansas City last week and asked for his autograph to give to a family member with special needs. North America's controlling football body (CONCACAF) opened disciplinary action against the 36-year-old. According to ESPN, Ortiz Nava has been 'banned from officiating in CONCACAF competitions for six months'.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This is not a good look for Ortiz Nava, who is said to have acknowledged his mistake and apologised for his actions, as questions of impartiality may now dog his career as an official. The report adds that if he reoffends, he will be 'punished indefinitely'.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  ESPN's source states that while Ortiz Nava cannot officiate in CONCACAF competitions for half a year, he will continue refereeing in Mexico's Liga MX – which is part of the CONCACAF confederation.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Away from this officiating debacle, Messi's Miami will play the second leg of their Champions Cup first-round second leg tie against Kansas on Wednesday.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News