The managing owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer's suspensions of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the MLS All-Star Game a "draconian" punishment.

"They don't understand the decision," owner Jorge Mas said Friday of the one-match bans. "They don't understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension."

Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Mexico's Liga MX, despite being voted into the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule, while Alba said he was dealing with a previous injury. Mas revealed that the club made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the exhibition event.

According to MLS rules, any player who doesn't participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match.

The players missed Inter Miami's home match on Saturday against Cincinnati, which ended in a 0-0 draw that knocked the visiting side out of first place in the Eastern Conference standings. Both Messi and Alba had practiced on Friday in anticipation of playing for the fifth-placed hosts, before MLS announced the suspension.

"I know Lionel Messi loves this league," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "I don't think there's a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision."

Garber added that MLS will re-evaluate the policy and work with players to "determine how the rule should evolve."

Mas said Inter Miami expressed its disagreement over the suspension and the rule. Mas also noted that six MLS matches were scheduled for Friday night, less than 48 hours after the All-Star Game.

"That's not right," Mas said. "That's not right to the players."