Major League Soccer is investigating possible tampering by Inter Miami following the club’s signing of Brazil midfielder Casemiro.
Miami announced on Wednesday that the 34-year-old, who left Manchester United at the end of last season, has signed a deal through the end of the 2027 MLS campaign, with an option to extend to June 2029.
Moments later, MLS said it was reviewing a tampering allegation involving the club. “The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” the statement read.
MLS added that while Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement over the discovery priority (first rights) to sign Casemiro, the terms will be disclosed after the tampering investigation concludes.
The review centers on MLS discovery rights, a rule granting a club first refusal on a player on its discovery list. Teams may list up to five players and can add or remove names at any time.
LA Galaxy held Casemiro’s discovery rights, but Inter Miami said it had acquired those rights from the Galaxy when confirming the transfer. The Galaxy stated: “The LA Galaxy and Inter Miami CF have reached a settlement for the discovery priority to sign Casemiro, and the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation currently open with Major League Soccer.”
In January, Casemiro announced he would leave Old Trafford at the end of the 2026-27 season following a mutual decision not to renew his contract.
The midfielder won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid before joining United in 2022, and he featured for Brazil as they reached the last 16 at this summer’s World Cup. “What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow,” he said.
Casemiro made 160 appearances for United, scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists, winning one EFL Cup and one FA Cup.
Following his departure, United prioritized midfield additions, signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m.
Before the investigation was announced, Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham said of Casemiro: “He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
At Miami, Casemiro is set to reunite with former Real Madrid and Manchester United teammate Sergio Reguilón and join Argentina World Cup finalists Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul.
This is not the first time Inter Miami’s transfer dealings have come under scrutiny. In 2021, the club was fined $2m for violating MLS rules in the signing of Blaise Matuidi from Juventus the previous year. MLS determined Matuidi had been paid more than permitted, effectively giving Miami four designated players instead of the allowed three. Designated player salaries do not count toward the MLS salary cap, a mechanism introduced in 2007 when David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy.