Referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava, known for his work in North American football, has been handed a six-month suspension after an unusual incident involving World Cup-winning star Lionel Messi.

The incident occurred following Inter Miami’s recent triumph in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Kansas City. After the match, Nava approached Messi at the request of a fan and asked for a jersey and an autograph , explaining that the request was for a family member with special needs.  

The odd encounter immediately drew the attention of CONCACAF, the governing body for North American football. Across the region, referees are typically expected to maintain a strict demeanour and adhere to the rules of the sport, both on and off the field. CONCACAF took swift action, opening disciplinary proceedings against the 36-year-old referee.  

Nava’s actions have now led to a significant professional consequence. He has been banned from officiating in any CONCACAF-related competitions for the next six months.

If the same behaviour is repeated in the future, the sanctions could escalate, with an indefinite ban becoming a possibility. This poses a challenging scenario for Nava, who has been a prominent figure in Mexican football as a referee for Liga MX, which is part of the CONCACAF confederation.  

Despite the suspension, Nava retains the ability to continue refereeing in Mexico’s top-flight league. This outcome suggests that while his conduct was deemed unacceptable by CONCACAF, his reputation and experience within Liga MX have allowed him to avoid a complete ban.

However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the high expectations placed on referees in the region, as they are often seen as role models and pillars of the game.