Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava has been slapped with a six-month ban for asking Lionel Messi for his autograph after the recent match.Ortiz Nava sparked controversy when he approached the Argentinian in the aftermath of Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Sporting Kansas City last week.Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava approached Messi after Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup win over Sporting KC last week and asked for his autograph to give to a family member with special needs, according to ESPN.He will be able to referee Liga MX matches while serving his ban. pic.twitter.com/p2tRhdZkC6— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) February 26, 2025 The referee later apologised for his actions, and added that he had requested Messi’s signature so that he could give it to a family member with special needs.Interestingly, Ortiz Nava will continue refereeing in the Mexican top flight during his suspension.The decision to permit Ortiz Nava to continue officiating there comes somewhat as a surprise, given Mexico’s Liga MX is part of the CONCACAF confederation.##NAJAVA_MECA_8736093##
