Major League Soccer (MLS) has launched an investigation into Inter Miami over alleged tampering violations related to the signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. The league confirmed it is gathering information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete.
The investigation centers on discovery rights, an MLS regulation granting a specific club first refusal for a player seeking to join the league. While Inter Miami announced the signing of the 34-year-old on Wednesday, stating they had acquired Casemiro's discovery rights from the LA Galaxy, the MLS noted a settlement had been reached between the two clubs regarding these rights. The terms of this settlement will be released after the tampering investigation concludes.
Casemiro, who previously played for Manchester United, signed with Inter Miami on a deal running through the end of the 2027 MLS campaign, with an option to extend until June 2029. He announced his departure from Manchester United in January, following a mutual decision not to renew his contract at the end of the 2026-27 season. Casemiro won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid before joining Manchester United in 2022. He also represented Brazil in the recent World Cup.
Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham expressed his delight at securing the player, calling him "a winner who has achieved so much in the game." Casemiro is expected to join former Real Madrid and Manchester United teammate Sergio Reguilón, as well as World Cup finalists Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul, at the Miami club.
This is not the first time Inter Miami has faced scrutiny from MLS regarding transfer dealings. In 2021, the club was fined $2 million for violating league rules with the signing of midfielder Blaise Matuidi. The league found that Matuidi had been paid more than permitted, resulting in the team having four "designated players" instead of the allowed three. The designated player rule, often referred to as the 'Beckham rule,' was established when David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007, allowing clubs to sign players whose wages exceed the MLS salary cap.