Inter Miami sign Casemiro as MLS opens tampering investigation

Inter Miami have officially announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro as a free agent, marking a major addition to their roster ahead of the 2027 MLS Sprint campaign. The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny from Major League Soccer (MLS), which has initiated a tampering investigation into the club’s dealings with former team LA Galaxy regarding Casemiro’s discovery rights. The league stated it would withhold details of a settlement between Inter Miami and LA Galaxy until the review concludes. Casemiro, 34, joins Inter Miami after leaving Manchester United following the end of the 2022-23 season. A five-time Champions League winner during his tenure at Real Madrid, he also earned three La Liga titles and played a key role in Manchester United’s success in the English League Cup and FA Cup. Casemiro has represented Brazil in 91 international matches, including participation in the 2019 Copa America and three FIFA World Cups. In the most recent tournament, he started all five of Brazil’s matches before the team was defeated by Norway in the round of 16. According to Inter Miami’s announcement, the club secured Casemiro’s discovery rights from LA Galaxy as part of the agreement. However, MLS has raised concerns over the process, citing a “tampering allegation.” Under MLS rules, teams must negotiate discovery rights with any club that previously listed a player before signing them outside the draft or free agency. LA Galaxy had claimed these rights prior to Casemiro’s decision to join Inter Miami. The league confirmed that a settlement had been reached between the two clubs, though the terms remain confidential pending the outcome of the investigation. The MLS probe has cast a cloud over Casemiro’s transfer, with the league stating it is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete. Neither Inter Miami nor LA Galaxy have publicly commented on the investigation, although the Galaxy posted a message on social media platform X confirming they had reached a settlement for the Discovery Priority to sign Casemiro. They noted that the terms of the agreement would be disclosed once the tampering investigation concludes. The timing of the investigation adds complexity to the situation, as the MLS tampering rules are designed to prevent clubs from circumventing the league’s draft system by acquiring players without proper negotiation. While Inter Miami emphasized that the acquisition of discovery rights was part of the deal, the league’s stance suggests there may be procedural issues under review. The lack of clarity surrounding potential penalties or a timeline for resolution has left both clubs and fans awaiting further developments. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on whether Inter Miami adhered to MLS regulations in securing Casemiro’s rights. With the midfielder set to bolster Inter Miami’s midfield depth, the outcome of the probe could have broader implications for how clubs navigate player transfers in the future. For now, the league’s silence underscores the gravity of the situation, while Casemiro prepares to make his debut with a new team in a new league.