Messi's bodyguard has a point about fan incidents in USA, MLS | OneFootball

Lionel Messi bodyguard Yassine Cheuko says he has been prevented from patrolling the entire length of the sidelines during matches this season to prevent possible pitch invaders from reaching the player, a decision he appears to believe could make the Argentine superstar less safe.

Cheuko originally attributed the change in policy to MLS. However, Inter Miami confirmed to MLS Multiplex that this was actually a change in club policy. Cheuko remains employed by the club and is a part of its off-the-field security operations.

"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," the bodyguard told Spanish media, according to a report from Reuters.

"I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I came to the USA and in just 20 months 16 people have already done so. There's a huge problem here, let me help Messi."

While Cheuko is certainly experienced, he is not singularly qualified to provide security for a match involving Messi or any other star player.

However, he does have a point when it comes to American authorities often being caught offguard when it comes to the potential for security breaches at soccer events.

The United States in general and MLS in particular have generally been thought be well distant of the fan violence and security issues that have plagued some parts of the soccer world. But in recent years there have been increasing instances in the United States where authorities seem at best to have only tenuous control over situations that could threaten fan safety.

Copa America flashback

Argentina v Colombia - CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024: Final | Maddie Meyer/GettyImages

The most obvious of those came in Inter Miami's back yard last July, when attempts by unticketed fans to breach the gates at the 2024 Copa America final in Hard Rock Stadium, and tens of thousands were trapped inside portions of an overcrowded and sweltering venue while kickoff was delayed 82 minutes.

Another less widely exposed incident occurred just this weekend, when an unspecified number of fans of both clubs appeared to get into several skirmishes outside Snapdragon Stadium following San Diego FC's match with local rival LAFC.

What's most notable about the clips of the latter incident is the sight of at least a few law enforcement officers trying to keep peace in the situation, and appearing to be overwhelmed.

To be clear, neither of the situations directly involve MLS or are the kind that would put Messi at risk. But they lend some credit to Cheuko's assertion that pitch invasions are a more acute problem in the U.S. than they are elsewhere.

At the same time, it's not clear how Cheuko's input would help solve that problem. It's possibly a cultural issue, either in terms of how many security resources local authorities deem appropriate to devote to live sporting events, or how citizens feel about the potential negative consequences of invading the pitch. And he could also still lend that input while not patrolling the entire length of the sidelines to shadow Messi, as he did last season.