Major League Soccer has confirmed it is examining accusations of improper conduct against Inter Miami following the acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
The Florida club confirmed the acquisition on Wednesday of the 34-year-old, who departed Manchester United at the conclusion of the last campaign, having agreed terms through the 2027 season with a potential extension to 2029.
Almost immediately, league officials issued a brief statement confirming they were “evaluating a possible tampering violation” involving the team.
“The competition is collecting all pertinent details and will not offer additional remarks until the assessment is finalized,” the statement continued.
“Although Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have resolved the matter of priority discovery claims for Casemiro, the specific conditions will be disclosed once the tampering review concludes.”
The review is focused on the league’s discovery process, a mechanism granting a franchise the initial opportunity to negotiate with a player should they decide to enter the league.
Teams are permitted to maintain a list of up to five such players, with the ability to modify their selections at any point.
The LA Galaxy held this priority position for the Brazilian international, but in their official announcement, Inter Miami stated they had secured the entitlement from the Galaxy.
Casemiro revealed in January that he would leave Old Trafford at the end of the 2026-27 term following a mutual decision to let his deal expire.
Before his switch to United in 2022, he lifted five European Cups with Real Madrid. He also featured for his nation as they progressed to the knockout phase of the recent global tournament.
“The driving force for me, and I suppose for any athlete, is securing victories and evolving as a player,” he stated.
Across his tenure with the English side, he took to the pitch 160 times, finding the net on 26 occasions and setting up 14 goals, while claiming one League Cup and one FA Cup.
In response to his exit, the club has focused on strengthening the middle of the park, adding Andrey Santos from Chelsea for a reported £50m and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m.
Prior to the investigation becoming public, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham expressed his enthusiasm: “He is a born competitor who has accomplished so much in the sport. After a stellar journey with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m thrilled he’s chosen Miami for his next chapter.”
In Florida, the midfielder is poised to reunite with former colleagues from both Real and Manchester United, Sergio Reguilon, alongside Argentine global stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul.
This is not the first instance where the team’s recruitment activities have drawn official examination.
In 2021, the organization was handed a $2m penalty for breaching salary regulations during the prior year’s acquisition of French midfielder Blaise Matuidi from Juventus.
The league determined Matuidi’s compensation exceeded the permitted threshold, effectively granting the team a fourth high-earning roster slot rather than the allowed three. Compensation for such marquee players falls outside the standard team wage limit.
This provision, commonly referred to as the designated player rule, was implemented upon the former England captain’s arrival at Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
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