MLS Investigates Inter Miami Over Casemiro Signing Amid Alleged Tampering

Major League Soccer (MLS) has launched an investigation into Inter Miami over allegations of possible tampering in the club’s acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

The league announced the probe on Wednesday, shortly after Inter Miami confirmed the signing of the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star as a free agent.

Inter Miami revealed that Casemiro has signed a contract that runs through the end of the current season, with an option to extend his stay until June 2029.

In a statement, MLS said it is reviewing claims that Inter Miami may have violated league rules during the transfer process.

“Major League Soccer is reviewing a tampering allegation against Inter Miami CF. The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” the league said.

MLS also confirmed that although Inter Miami and LA Galaxy have reached an agreement regarding the discovery rights for Casemiro, the terms of that settlement will only be disclosed after the investigation is concluded.

Why MLS Is Investigating

At the centre of the investigation is the league’s “discovery rights” system, a unique MLS mechanism that gives clubs priority to negotiate with certain players.

Under MLS rules, each club can place up to six players on its discovery list. If a player is on a team’s list, that club has the exclusive right to negotiate with the player, while other MLS clubs are prohibited from initiating discussions.

Before Casemiro joined Inter Miami, he was reportedly on LA Galaxy’s discovery list, giving the California club priority in negotiations.

MLS is now examining whether Inter Miami made contact with the midfielder before properly acquiring those discovery rights from LA Galaxy.

Discovery Rights Explained

League regulations allow another MLS club to obtain a player’s discovery rights by offering the club holding those rights $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).

Once such an offer is made, the club holding the discovery rights has a limited period to either:

• Accept the allocation money and relinquish its priority to sign the player; or

• Present the player with what MLS describes as a genuine and objectively reasonable contract offer.

Only after that process is completed can another club proceed with negotiations.

Inter Miami Await Outcome

Inter Miami, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, has yet to comment publicly on the allegations.

The investigation does not affect Casemiro’s announced signing for now, but MLS could impose sanctions if it determines that league regulations were breached during the transfer process.

The outcome of the investigation is expected to clarify whether Inter Miami followed the league’s roster rules or improperly bypassed the discovery rights system before completing the move for the experienced Brazilian midfielder.