Major League Soccer (MLS) has banned the personal bodyguard of Lionel Messi, Yassine Cheuko, from patrolling the touchline during Inter Miami matches. The league has now chosen to assume complete control of matchday security going forward and has limited Cheuko’s access to the locker room and mixed zones.
A former Navy SEAL, Cheuko made headlines last year for his watchful guarding of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, blocking pitch invaders from getting close to him. But such involvement on the field is still sidelined after MLS implemented stricter security protocols.
“They don’t let me be on the field anymore,” Cheuko said in Spanish. “I played in Europe for seven years, Ligue 1 and Champions League and only six people invaded the pitch. Yet in the USA alone, 16 have done so in a mere 20 months. There’s a huge problem here. I’m not a problem — let me help Messi.”
Despite the restrictions, Cheuko will maintain his work as part of Messi’s personal security team outside stadiums. The decision by M.L.S., which is to standardize security on match day and guarantee the security of players.
