MLS star's contract terminated after playing secret game and punching opponent

19 September 2023 , 23:03

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CF Montréal forward Matko Miljevic is alleged to have broken MLS rules, which has led to his sacking from the league (Image: AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

An MLS star has had his contract terminated after claims he signed up to play in an amateur league, only to be banned after he allegedly punched an opponent.

Forward Matko Miljevic is purported to have signed up to play in the Ligue Québécoise de Soccer Calcetto (QCSL) after seemingly growing frustrated at his involvement at CF Montreal. The U.S. youth international now finds himself without a club after MLS confirmed he had breached the rules of his contract.

This comes after reports that the 22-year-old used a false name to take part in the QCSL, only to be suspended following a confrontation with an opponent. While attending a game as a spectator, it is alleged that Miljevic "struck" a player in the face after spitting at them.

The amateur competition's website even showed a profile for the MLS player, who was registered as a "B/semi-competitive" player on the page. Of course, this contravened the rules of his MLS contract, which stipulated that he would not be able to play.

He had played for Montreal for three seasons, making 35 appearances and scoring two goals with two assists. However, he has found game-time hard to come by at the Quebec outfit this term, appearing for just 131 minutes in total across eight MLS appearances.

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In total, the former Boca Juniors trainee is thought to have scored six times and notched two assists across his three matches. According to the aforementioned report, the sacked MLS star had originally joined the QCSL after being invited along by a close friend.

The QCSL website allegedly showed a profile that appeared to show that Matko Miljevic was turning out in the amateur league (QCSL)

CF Montreal head coach Hernan Losada had previously confirmed that Miljevic was not training as a result of the probe into the reports. He said: "Matko will not be in training until everything is resolved. The people who need to make decisions will make them, but it's not for me to give my opinion while we're in the middle of an investigation."

The sacked star had been under contract for the 2024 season, with the club reserving the option for a further year, but his deal was terminated. Miljevic's last game for Montreal came as a second-half substitute in a 4-2 defeat to the Columbus Crew on September 3.

In a statement, MLS confirmed their decision saying: "Major League Soccer has terminated the contract of CF Montreal midfielder Matko Miljevic for engaging in conduct detrimental to the league and violating his Standard Player Agreement, it was announced Monday."

Tom Beattie