Casemiro has completed his move to Inter Miami on a free transfer from Manchester United, but Major League Soccer has immediately opened a formal tampering investigation into the blockbuster deal. The probe centres on allegations that Inter Miami violated protocol by negotiating with the Brazilian midfielder without first acquiring discovery priority rights held by LA Galaxy.
The two MLS clubs have already reached a settlement over the discovery priority, though the league has withheld full details pending completion of the investigation. According to MLS rules, clubs holding exclusive negotiation rights cannot be contacted by rivals without prior agreement. Inter Miami's failure to secure these rights before approaching Casemiro triggered LA Galaxy's complaint and sparked the formal review.
Previous Disciplinary History
This investigation arrives against a backdrop of serious administrative violations. In 2021, Inter Miami were penalised $2 million and docked $2.27 million in allocation money for salary cap breaches related to Blaise Matuidi's signing. Managing owner Jorge Mas also received a personal $250,000 fine, underscoring the franchise's concerning track record with league compliance. Any new sanctions could prove equally severe and damaging to the club's financial flexibility.
Casemiro enjoyed an outstanding 2024 season at Old Trafford, scoring nine goals and contributing crucial assists that helped Manchester United secure Champions League qualification. The 32-year-old midfielder arrives on a non-Designated Player contract through summer 2027, a strategic move that preserves Inter Miami's salary cap space despite the uncertainty surrounding the tampering review.
Club owner Jorge Mas released a statement celebrating the acquisition: "Casemiro's arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami. We're always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We've built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally."
Inter Miami face Chicago Fire on Wednesday in their opening fixture following the winter break, though Casemiro's availability remains unclear while Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul recover from international commitments. The club now awaits MLS's formal findings, which could trigger additional disciplinary action that extends beyond the already-settled discovery priority dispute.
