Latest news with #Cheuko
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
BANNED! Lionel Messi's bodyguard reprimanded for a month by Leagues Cup disciplinary committee
The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee has banned Lionel Messi's bodyguard from all technical areas for the remainder of the tournament through August 31, and imposed an undisclosed fine on Inter Miami following an incident where Cheuko entered the field to intervene in a postgame confrontation between Inter Miami and Atlas players on July 30. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The disciplinary action came after Cheuko, wearing a black Miami T-shirt, ran onto the field and physically pushed away Atlas players who were gathered following Inter Miami's 2-1 victory over Atlas. The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee released an official statement addressing the incident: "After the July 30 Inter Miami CF vs. Club Atlas match, a member of Inter Miami's club delegation displayed improper conduct by entering restricted areas without an official event credential. In accordance with the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended the individual involved from all technical areas for the remainder of Leagues Cup 2025 and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami CF. " Atlas defender Matheus Doria expressed concerns about Cheuko's intervention on the field: "We already know that our board works very well and will take care of the issue. I understand that Messi's bodyguard is there to protect Messi from a possible entry by a fan, I don't know, but between players, he doesn't have that permission." Doria further elaborated on the situation: "It's not up to us to say much or give our opinion on the matter, but the board and those in charge of the Leagues Cup have already seen it and will take charge of what can and can't be done because as long as it protects not only Messi but the other players, and the physical integrity of the players who are there, that's fine. But if it's for other issues, no one will agree, but it's not up to me to do anything. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " Cheuko has been working as Messi's security personnel since the footballer's time at Paris Saint-Germain. Previous reports suggesting Cheuko was a former Navy SEAL or professional MMA fighter have been found to be incorrect. This incident is . He has previously intercepted pitch invaders during matches, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring Messi's security. In April 2025, Inter Miami had already taken action regarding Cheuko's field presence by prohibiting him from being on the sideline during MLS matches. Despite this restriction, he continues to be employed by the team.
New York Post
02-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Lionel Messi's bodyguard suspended in latest controversy
Lionel Messi's bodyguard is once again embroiled in controversy. Yassine Cheuko will be suspended from all technical areas for the remainder of the Leagues Cup after an incident during Inter Miami's game against Atlas on Wednesday night. 'After the July 30 Inter Miami CF vs. Club Atlas match, a member of Inter Miami's club delegation displayed improper conduct by entering restricted areas without an official event credential,' the Leagues Cup disciplinary committee said in a press release. Advertisement Yassine Cheuko before an Inter Miami match on June 23. FIFA via Getty Images 'In accordance with the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended the individual involved from all technical areas for the remainder of Leagues Cup 2025 and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami CF.' The individual was reported to be Cheuko by ESPN. Advertisement Cheuko, an ex-MMA fighter who has been Messi's personal bodyguard since the megastar's time at Paris Saint-Germain, went onto the field after Wednesday's match to break up a discussion between players from the two teams. Afterward, Atlas player Matheus Doria said the bodyguard's actions were uncalled for. Lionel Messi during Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Atlas on Wednesday. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect 'We already know that our board works very well and will take care of the issue. I understand that Messi's bodyguard is there to protect Messi from a possible entry by a fan, I don't know, but between players, he doesn't have that permission,' Doria said. Advertisement 'It's not up to us to say much or give our opinion on the matter, but the board and those in charge of the Leagues Cup have already seen it and will take charge of what can and can't be done because as long as it protects not only Messi but the other players, and the physical integrity of the players who are there, that's fine. But if it's for other issues, no one will agree, but it's not up to me to do anything.' In April, Cheuko was banned by Inter Miami from being on the sidelines during MLS matches, although he remained a member of the club's security team.
USA Today
02-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Messi bodyguard banned from Leagues Cup after Inter Miami-Atlas scuffle
One of the most familiar faces at Inter Miami games is set to miss some time, and this time it's not Lionel Messi. Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko will be suspended for the duration of the 2025 Leagues Cup after entering the field of play without authorization amid a post-game scuffle. In a press release on Friday, Aug. 1, Leagues Cup — a competition between clubs from MLS and Mexico's Liga MX — said that "a member of Inter Miami's club delegation displayed improper conduct by entering restricted areas without an official event credential." People with knowledge of the situation have confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that the person in question is Cheuko. The persons requested anonymity since Cheuko's name was not publicly announced in the release. Cheuko has become a well-known presence on the touchline at Inter Miami matches since Messi arrived in MLS in 2023. Generally, his role has been to stop pitch invaders from reaching Messi, whose popularity has tested MLS security measures in a way the league has not previously encountered. ANALYSIS: Messi needs to find his groove again to lead Inter Miami in Leagues Cup The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee announced that it had "suspended the individual involved from all technical areas for the remainder of Leagues Cup 2025 and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami CF." The incident in question came after a dramatic 2-1 Miami win over Atlas on Wednesday, July 30, with Messi setting up Marcelo Weigandt for a game-winning goal six minutes into second-half stoppage time. Weigandt's goal was initially chalked off, but VAR overturned that call, awarding the Herons a win. It was a remarkable end to a fiery game that had seen players and coaches from both sides jawing at one another, and Messi let Atlas' Matías Cóccaro hear it while celebrating with new teammate Rodrigo De Paul. With the full time whistle coming seconds later, the normal post-game handshakes and hugs devolved momentarily, Cheuko was seen among the scuffling players and team staffers, at one point shoving Atlas defender Jorge San Martín. NEW: Leagues Cup is set to discipline a member of Inter Miami's staff for entering the pitch during their last match. There's also a fine Yassine Cheuko, known online as Messi's bodyguard. He'll be banned from Leagues Cup matches. The incident is not the first in which Cheuko's presence has drawn pushback. In April, Miami told USA TODAY Sports that the bodyguard would no longer be on the touchline during the club's MLS matches. At the time, Cheuko had said he was "banned" from the field, though Miami said he would remain a club employee. It's also the latest bit of friction between Messi's camp and MLS, who along with Liga MX, organizes Leagues Cup. Last week, the Argentine icon and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended for one match after not participating in the MLS All-Star Game. Miami owner Jorge Mas cited the need to rest Messi in the face of the Herons' unusually demanding schedule, and said Messi was "very upset" after MLS decided to enforce a rule requiring healthy players to participate if named to the All-Star roster.
New York Times
01-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The mystery of Messi's bodyguard and his dwindling presence at Inter Miami games
Ever since Lionel Messi touched down in Miami in 2023, he has brought along a collection of former teammates, like Barcelona legends Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. He also brought along another associate, one whose presence in the international media may have actually surpassed them all: Yassine Cheuko. Advertisement Cheuko, who serves as Messi's personal bodyguard, became a fixture at Miami games and also became the subject of widespread speculation. Little was known about him, as he rarely, if ever, did interviews. The international press had a field day with Cheuko, erroneously claiming that he was a former Navy SEAL and writing that he'd been hand-selected by Inter Miami owner David Beckham. None of this was true, but it did little to temper the public's curiosity about Cheuko, who remained a point of fascination. Viral videos circulated of him chasing down pitch invaders across MLS. On broadcasts of Miami matches, Cheuko would be clearly visible at field level as he patrolled the sidelines of the playing field, often in front of the ad boards and just inches away from the action. In 2025, Cheuko's presence has been more muted. This week, he shed light on why: according to Cheuko himself, MLS has changed its policies, limiting the amount of access he has during matches. 'I was in Europe for seven years working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch,' Cheuko said in a video interview with House of Highlights, a social media channel. Clips of the interview have since been removed. 'I arrived in the United States, and in 20 months of work, 16 people have already invaded the pitch. There's a huge problem here. I'm not the problem. Let me help Messi. 'I love MLS and Concacaf, but we have to work together. I love helping. I'm not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe. It's fine, I understand their decision, but I think we could do better.' An MLS spokesperson told The Athletic on Tuesday that the league has not changed its policies regarding team security personnel. The spokesperson could not immediately confirm whether there have been 16 pitch invasions since Messi's arrival, as Cheuko claimed. Inter Miami declined to comment. When Inter Miami traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, last month to play Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, Cheuko was in attendance but not seen on the pitch patrolling Messi's movements at the National Stadium. Concacaf handles team security protocols for its competitions. Advertisement On Tuesday, a source familiar with Concacaf's security plans told The Athletic that the confederation works closely with clubs to develop specific plans. Those plans, the source said, dictate what specific individuals have access to the pitch. Concacaf declined to comment on the record. Messi has been the target of pitch invaders since his arrival in MLS, though the frequency of those incidents seems to have decreased in 2024 and 2025. Security's response to the breaches has been varied. In one case, Cheuko allowed a young fan to take a selfie with the Argentine legend before putting his arm around him and ushering him off the field. Others haven't been as lucky, with Cheuko — a mixed martial artist by trade — sprinting onto the field and leveling another intruder. During away matches in Kansas City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and elsewhere, play was stopped as Messi was forced to interact with spectators. Miami has faced the issue both at home and abroad, dealing with pitch invaders in China, Panama and elsewhere during international friendlies. OMG MESSI'S BODYGUARD SPRINTS TO INTERCEPT PITCH INVADER. HE IS NO JOKE.🏃♂️ Messi's Boydguard may be the Messi of Bodyguards. 💪 — Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) September 4, 2023 Cheuko's absence from the field has caused issues at Miami and, in particular, with Messi, who has expressed his displeasure with Cheuko's change in access, according to multiple sources close to Miami's locker room. 'It's been the case all year long,' said one source, who requested anonymity over not being authorized to discuss the matter. '(Lionel and Yassine) are quite upset about it — (Yassine) has always been really critical of all of the other security (across MLS) and suggested that if they were good at their jobs, he wouldn't even be needed.' Advertisement Another source said Cheuko now sometimes stations himself in the tunnel that leads to the pitch during matches, or in a private box. The mystery surrounding Cheuko has diffused a bit since his arrival in the U.S., with Cheuko himself embracing his status as a minor celebrity. He still rarely does interviews but frequently posts to social media. His profile grew even further this spring as he became embroiled in a back-and-forth with fellow MMA fighter and social media influencer Logan Paul, who claimed that Cheuko had used Messi for attention. The two have since tentatively agreed to fight each other. 'You said I need attention,' Cheuko responded in his own post. 'You need attention. You start with this, you start to talk about soccer players and make a fight with them. So now we are going to stop talking because I know you are a YouTube product. I come from the streets, I'm a street product, and people on the street don't talk a lot. So now stop talking. I see you on the ring, man.'
USA Today
01-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
MLS bans Lionel Messi's bodyguard from the sidelines at Inter Miami games
MLS bans Lionel Messi's bodyguard from the sidelines at Inter Miami games Show Caption Hide Caption 'You get to play with the greatest player in the world' - Picault explains what makes Inter Miami special Fafa Picault says Messi is 'the greatest player in the world' and working with him makes Inter Miami unique Stats Perform Video Yassine Cheuko, Lionel Messi's bodyguard and a former Navy SEAL, has been banned from the sidelines during Inter Miami CF games. Cheuko is recognized for his viral moments as he scans the crowd to prevent potential pitch invaders from reaching Messi. Major League Soccer has decided to take charge of the security situation for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Consequently, Cheuko has been informed that he will no longer be allowed on the field and will only have access to the locker room and mixed zones. "They've barred me from the field," Cheuko said to the media. "I came to the USA and in just 20 months, 16 people have already breached security. There's a significant issue here. I'm not the issue. Let me protect Messi." Despite not being allowed to be on the sidelines moving forward, Cheuko has shared that he will continue to be a key member of Messi's personal security team outside of MLS games. More: USWNT great Alex Morgan, husband Servando Carrasco announce birth of second child When is Inter Miami CF's next game? Inter Miami CF are currently at the top of the Eastern Conference in the MLS table with 13 points, ahead of Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew. Inter Miami's next game will be against LAFC in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, April 2 at 11:30 p.m. ET.
