Every match played by Inter Miami, whether at home or away, requires a detailed organization to contain pitch invasions by Lionel Messi fans. No, we are not exaggerating: there are people who are literally ready to do anything for an autograph or to take a selfie with the Argentine star. One of the latest episodes, which went viral on social media, took place last February during the preseason friendly played by Inter Miami against Independiente del Valle, in Puerto Rico. A few minutes before the end of the match, several people poured onto the pitch in an attempt to reach Messi. In the end, only one managed it. As the fan hugged him, Inter Miami’s number 10 remained motionless, used to moments of this kind. A bodyguard then managed to intervene and take the boy away, but in the commotion he also pinned the player to the ground, while his shirt was constantly being pulled by the pitch invader. Since then there have been other similar episodes, with some people invading the pitch at Empower Field (the Colorado Rapids’ stadium) and America First Field (Real Salt Lake City’s stadium) even just to touch Messi. With the consequent intervention of bodyguards and removal of the troublemakers.
MLS teams, in practice, have found themselves having to deal with this problem in every match against Inter Miami. And therefore to implement security measures that, in pre-Messi American soccer, had never been seen before. Real Salt Lake president John Kimball admitted that hosting the pink-and-black team involves some extra precautions. And that the club even began preparing eight months before the match against Messi and his teammates: «It was the first time Inter Miami had played in Utah», Kimball told ESPN. «We knew there would be a crowd of people ready to do anything for a photo or an autograph. So we wanted to be prepared».
And so Real Salt Lake, with the aim of preventing disorder, implemented an entire special protocol: it revoked seasonal access for off-duty employees, installed a barrier in the tunnel connecting the visitors’ dressing room to the pitch and significantly increased service staff. More or less the same procedure was also put in place by the Colorado Rapids. A club spokesperson confirmed to ESPN that they had organized inspections in all the areas where Inter Miami players would pass through and installed physical barriers in the most exposed areas.
Invading the pitch and taking a photo with Messi is an action that can come at a high price. The fans who carried out the pitch invasion at America First Field (Utah) were banned from the stadium for life. Real Salt Lake president John Kimball was clear on the matter: «We want people to understand that there will be consequences for anyone who breaks these rules», he said. «This behavior is not tolerated. Generally these fans do not have bad intentions, it is just a moment of glory. But we would never want our players or the opposing players to be in any kind of danger». The league rules, after all, are clear and prohibit fans from «attempting to enter the tunnel, the track, the pitch or any other place other than that permitted by the fan’s ticket». And they add that violating the code of conduct can result in «ejection from the stadium without refund and loss of the right to access tickets for future matches».
The sanctions imposed on fans who decide to invade the pitch, however, are not limited only to the sporting side. In some US states, actions like these are also illegal under the law. In Florida, for example, fans can be charged with trespassing during a sporting event. With fines ranging from 2500 to 5000 dollars and, in some cases, even arrest. And if the person doing it is a minor, the parents are charged. But, as mentioned, fans are ready to do anything just to take a selfie with Messi. Absolutely anything.