From Miami Secured a leading 4-1 victory over Houston Dynamo on match day 2 in 2025 MLS seasonBut the game was not without controversy. The biggest point of call came when Ian Fray was shown a shocking red card, urges head coach Javier Mascherano to publicly question the judge – a trait that now puts him at risk.
Without their main star, Lionel Messi, Inter Miami traveled to Houston and delivered an impressive performance. However, the match ended on an acidic note when the players went to the dressing room, The Houston defender Ian Bartlow seized Fray at the sweater. In an attempt to free himself, Fray reacted, which led to his dismissal. Mascherano spoke after the match and was quick to defend his player.
“I saw the video – he did nothing, absolutely nothing. He tried to go to the dressing room, and his opponent seized him at the sweater. He tried to be free once, twice, three times, and the referee was right there and looked at it to happen. That’s what is starting to worry about Ian did nothing, and when my players do nothing I will stand up for them no matter what is required“He said at the press conference after the match.
The Argentine coach did not stop there and pointed out what he thinks is a pattern of unfairly officially against his team: “The other day there were doubtful calls. Today, again-when we won 4-1 and the game was almost over, there were two or three fouls that were not even yellow cards, but we were flooded with bookings. I will not keep quiet about this anymore. “
Mascherano’s frustration is not only derived from Fray’s red cards but also from previous incidents. He had already questioned Tomas Avile’s red card last weekWho forced Fray to the starting lineup against Houston. On Sunday he referred to yellow cards handed over to Leo AfonsoThe Benjamin Cramaschiand Jordi Alba during stop time in a match already decided.
See also
What Javier Mascherano explained about Lionel Messi’s absence in Inter Miami’s victory
Can Mascherano face suspension?
Mascherano’s outspoken criticism of Officia can lead to disciplinary action by Major League Soccer. The league has a strict attitude to comments about judge decisions, and the Argentine coach is now in the middle of the controversy.
According to the 2025 MLS competition guidelines for coaches, team officials and club staff, “,”Every coach, technical personnel or team official acting in an unprofessional manneraccording to the league’s opinion, shall be subject to fines and/or shutdown As determined by the league office. “
Another point that speaks of the subject writes: “Large fines and/or suspensions, on the sole and absolute assessment of the league office, should be taken out against players, coaches or other officials for behavior that is harmful to MLS (regardless of whether they warned by the referee of such match conduct) or not). “
Mascherano directly dealt with judge’s decisions in both Inter Miami’s MLS games so far, and openly criticized what he called “Doubtful conversations. “Whether the club appeals to Frays Red Cards, Mascherano’s remarks violate ligation policy, making a fine or cancellation to a realistic result.
