On Monday, February 24, 2025, referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava was handed a six-month ban after requesting an autograph from Lionel Messi following Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup victory over Kansas City last week.
According to reports from ESPN, Nava approached Messi at the end of the match, asking for an autograph for a family member with special needs. This incident prompted disciplinary action from CONCACAF, North America’s football governing body.
As a result, Nava has been banned from officiating in CONCACAF competitions for six months. However, if he reoffends, he will face an indefinite ban. While this suspension affects his CONCACAF duties, Nava will still be allowed to referee in Mexico’s Liga MX, which is also under the CONCACAF confederation.
The incident has stirred discussions on the ethics and conduct expected from match officials in high-profile competitions.
