The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. “They don’t understand the decision,” owner Jorge Mas said Friday of the one-game suspensions.

Lionel Messi has been suspended for one game after sitting out the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval, the league said on Friday. The Inter Miami forward and his teammate, Jordi Alba, did not compete on Wednesday despite not being injured,

Inter Miami are set to face MLS leader FC Cincinnati, and star Lionel Messi's absence in the key game raised concern among fans. Lionel Messi has once again become one of the most talked-about figures in soccer—not only for his record-setting performances but also for the recent controversy surrounding the MLS All-Star Game.