Why Messi Bodyguard Banned, the world of football has buzzed with one question: why Messi bodyguard banned from MLS touchlines and technical areas? It’s about rules, overstepping boundaries—and a controversial moment that pushed the limits. Here, BraeckBall breaks down exactly what happened, who’s involved, and what it means for Messi, his security, and matchday protocol.
What’s the situation
Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko (often spelled Chueko), has been banned from standing on the touchline during MLS matches and from being in the technical areas during MLS-affiliated tournaments like the Leagues Cup. The decision means he can no longer accompany Messi on the sideline, though he remains employed by Inter Miami and can protect Messi in other non-pitch zones.
Why did MLS and Leagues Cup take the decision
There are key events and regulatory issues that led to the ban:
1. Previous MLS sideline restriction
- In April 2025, MLS (and Inter Miami) restricted Cheuko.
- He was no longer allowed on the pitch or immediate field-of-play during matches; he could still be part of the security detail off-field.
2. The trigger: Leagues Cup incident vs Atlas
- On July 30, 2025, during a Leagues Cup group stage match between Inter Miami and Club Atlas, after the match ended in a 2-1 win for Miami, tensions flared between players. Messi’s celebration of a late winner intensified the moment.
- Cheuko entered restricted areas without pro, pushing and shoving Atlas players in an attempt to protect Messi and/or diffuse the confrontation. This act violated tournament regulation who can enter restricted zones.
3. Rule violation and disciplinary action
- The Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee reviewed the incident under the tournament’s regulations. Because Cheuko had entered restricted areas without pro, and acted inappropriately post-match, he was suspended from all technical areas for the rest of the Leagues Cup. Inter Miami was fined an undisclosed amount.
- The restriction builds on the prior sideline ban for MLS games. Critics and some players have argued that Cheuko’s involvement in player altercations crosses a line: protecting against fans is one thing, intervening in player-to-player disputes is another.
Who is Yassine Cheuko & what’s his role
- Former military/martial-artist background; frequently described in reports as ex-Navy SEAL or having combat/security training.
- Became famous (or infamous) in MLS for being hyper-vigilant about pitch invaders, protecting Messi during moments fans tried to breach the barriers. He has been seen sprinting along touchlines, intercepting intruders, sometimes physically removing them.
- -, Cheuko has argued that protection is necessary: since Messi joined MLS, there have been many more pitch-invasion attempts than in European leagues, where he.
The rules & policy side
- MLS and Leagues Cup have specific regulations about who is allowed in technical areas (benches, touchline, field), what credentials are needed, and how security is managed. Unauthorized personnel entering restricted zones violate those rules.
- The difference between “protecting from fans” vs “physically intervening in player confrontations” is important. Leagues and clubs seem to draw a line: personal security can respond to external threats (fans intruding), but not act as a buffer among teams themselves in disputes.
What it means for Messi and Inter Miami
- Messi loses Cheuko’s presence on the sidelines and technical areas in certain matches and tournaments. This affects how security is visibly deployed around him.
- Inter Miami must ensure security protocols are fully in accordance with MLS and tournament rules to avoid further sanctions. They also got fined for this latest incident.
- Fans and analysts are debating whether MLS and Concacaf should adjust their policies to better protect high-profile players (given security threats and stadium safety) or enforce stricter boundaries to prevent possible misconduct or escalation.
Potential arguments, criticism, and fan reactions
- Support for Cheuko: many believe his interventions have prevented worse incidents. Given Messi’s superstar status, visible security is thought to be important. Cheuko also claims more pitch invasion attempts in the USA than in Europe.
- Criticism: others argue that his presence on touchline or entering field during player altercations risks escalation, liability, breaches of protocol. Some feel emotions run high, and non-players intervening could make things worse. Atlas’ players have publicly stated that Cheuko does not have permission to intercede in player disputes.
- The balance between personal security, league regulations, and spectacle is under scrutiny. Will MLS adjust rules? Will club security responsibilities be centralized more?
Key timeline of events
- Messi joins Inter Miami: Cheuko is hired as his personal bodyguard. He gains notoriety for sideline presence and intercepting fan intrusions.
- April 2025: MLS / Inter Miami restrict Cheuko from being on touchlines during MLS matches (sideline ban).
- July 30, 2025: Match vs Atlas in Leagues Cup; post-game altercation; Cheuko enters restricted area without credential; pushes Atlas players.
- Early August 2025: Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee suspends Cheuko from all technical areas for the remainder of the tournament; Inter Miami fined.
What the ban does not cover
- Cheuko is still an official employee of Inter Miami; he can still do security work off pitch (locker rooms, mixed zones, etc.).
- The ban is not permanent for all contexts; it’s specific to technical areas in MLS matches and/or Leagues Cup or similar tournaments. There may be differences depending on event rules.
What’s next? What to watch for
- Will MLS or Leagues Cup adjust security protocols to accommodate high-profile players and their personal security teams more clearly? Perhaps formal credentialing or stricter supervision.
- Will Inter Miami push back or appeal decisions to allow Cheuko in more match contexts?
- How will other clubs and leagues view similar matters—some superstar players might want similar protections. This could become a wider issue: balancing star protection vs regulated match operations.
- Fan safety and pitch invader control systems might get upgraded (barriers, stewarding, surveillance) in response to the level of risk that Cheuko points out.
Conclusion
Why Messi bodyguard banned from MLS is a story of security overreach, abusive of protocol boundaries, and the clash between personal protection and regulated match-operations.
- Yassine Cheuko was banned from touchlines in MLS and technical areas in the Leagues Cup because he violated rule-sets: entering restricted areas without credentials and intervening in player disputes.
- The matches vs Atlas crystallized the issue when Cheuko stepped onto the field post-game, pushing Atlas players.
- Inter Miami was fined; league and tournament authorities enforced the suspension based on published regulations.
If you’re a fan, this matters because it shapes what matchday security looks like around superstars like Messi, and raises questions about what is acceptable behaviour.
What can you do next?
- Keep an eye on upcoming MLS or Leagues Cup announcements—they may clarify rules for the future or issue further statements.
- Watch how similar situations are handled internationally—it might set precedent.
- Stay tuned to BraeckBall for updates on this story, match reviews, statistics on pitch invasions, and how players are protected across leagues. If you found this explanation helpful, share it with someone who’s been asking why Messi bodyguard banned from MLS so we all know what’s really going on.
