According to the announcement, the settlement amount, after deducting legal fees, will be donated to three sports-related charitable organizations in Canada that support youth and athletic activities.

The Major League Soccer (MLS) and Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps have suffered a significant financial loss following a court ruling requiring them to pay a fine of $347,000 to settle a class-action lawsuit filed in Canada in recent months, due to the absence of Argentine star Lionel Messi, Inter Miami captain, from a highly anticipated match.

Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended, achieving remarkable success with the American team, leading them to several titles, including the MLS championship last season—a historic achievement for the club.

A Controversial Match Attention was focused on a match held on May 25, 2024, between Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami. The Canadian club heavily promoted the game based on Messi’s participation to attract a large crowd and maximize ticket revenue.

Whitecaps officials expected massive attendance at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, prompting them to raise ticket prices significantly. However, the surprise came when Inter Miami’s Argentine coach at the time, Tata Martino, decided to exclude Messi, along with teammates Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, to give them rest.

Fan Lawsuit This decision angered fans who had purchased tickets at high prices hoping to see Messi. On June 4, 2024, one fan filed a lawsuit after paying over $400 for two tickets, claiming the promotional campaigns had implied Messi would appear.

Vancouver Whitecaps attempted to resolve the issue with measures such as lowering food prices, offering free meal vouchers for children under 18, and providing future match attendance perks. However, these steps did not prevent the case from continuing in court.

Settlement to Avoid Legal Costs Although MLS and Vancouver Whitecaps denied any legal liability, court documents indicated that both parties agreed to the settlement to avoid additional legal costs and ongoing litigation.

As announced, the settlement amount, after deducting legal fees, will be donated to three Canadian sports-related charitable organizations that support youth and athletic initiatives.