Why Inter Miami could be punished for signing Casemiro after Man United exit

Inter Miami confirmed the signing of free agent Casemiro this week, but could soon be punished for it.

Casemiro became a free agent after his Manchester United contract expired on June 30, bringing the curtain down on his four years at Old Trafford.

The 34-year-old was an incredibly influential player during that time, amassing 160 appearances for the club and 40 goal involvements, 11 of which arrived in the Premier League last term.

But as he embarks on the next chapter of his career in the MLS, penning a contract that runs until the end of the 2027 campaign, there is a shadow over the midfielder's arrival.

Soon after announcing the signing on Wednesday, the MLS released a statement saying it was "reviewing a tampering allegation" against the club.

"The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete," it read.

"While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the discovery priority [first rights] to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation."

Under MLS rules, clubs must negotiate discovery rights with any team that previously listed a player before signing him outside the draft or free ‌agency.

LA Galaxy should have taken priority since they held his discovery rights before Inter Miami did, and that explains why an investigation has been launched.

The league hasn't specified penalties or a timeline for when the investigation might conclude, but the Galaxy did confirm that they acquired Casemiro's discovery rights as part of the deal.

MLS discovery rights explained

Although the controversial process has been criticised in the past, it is fairly common.

When Marco Reus joined LA Galaxy from Borussia Dortmund in 2024, for example, the club had to pay $400,000 in compensation to Charlotte FC, who had placed the German on their discovery list.

A description of discovery rights on the MLS website reads: "Pursuant to the discovery process, clubs may scout and sign players who are not yet under contract to MLS and who are not subject to another assignment mechanism (e.g., MLS SuperDraft).

"To sign a player through the discovery process, the club must first place the player on its discovery list. A club may have up to five players on its discovery list at any time and may remove or add players at any time.

"There is no limit to how many players a club can sign from its discovery list. Players who were previously on the Allocation Ranking List are now eligible for the discovery process. Players transferred out of Major League Soccer will become discoverable one week from when the player's ITC is permanently transferred and the League has notified all clubs."

It adds: "If one or more clubs attempt to add the same player to their respective discovery lists, the club that filed the claim on the earlier date will have the priority right to sign the player. If one or more clubs submit a discovery request on the same day, then the club with the lowest points-per-game in the current MLS regular season (all clubs must have played a minimum of three regular season games) will have the priority right to sign the player.

"If a club wants to sign a player on the discovery list of another club that has higher discovery priority on the player, it may offer that club $50,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for the right to sign the player.

"The club with the player on its discovery list will then have five days (or three days during the Secondary Transfer Window) to either (i) accept the General Allocation Money and pass on the right to sign the player or (ii) make the player a genuine, objectively reasonable offer."

Casemiro reacts after sealing Inter Miami transfer

While a dark cloud hangs over his switch to the MLS giants, Inter Miami will be excited about acquiring the 90-cap Brazil international.

Despite turning 34 in February, Casemiro enjoyed a renaissance at Man United last season, producing arguably his best performances at the club under Michael Carrick.

A return of nine goals and two assists in the Premier League only highlighted his impact, and it only made supporters wish he was a couple of years younger.

Casemiro's age and huge salary meant United decided against activating the 12-month extension in his contract, as he announced his emotional exit at the start of the year.

Arguably one of the best defensive midfielders in the modern era, the five-time Champions League winner is now getting ready to play alongside Lionel Messi, and he's already promised to "give everything" to the club.

“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust—not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the Club has shown me,” Casemiro said via Inter Miami's website.

An FA Cup and Carabao Cup winner during his time at Man United, the midfield destroyer will have his eyes on more silverware in the US, with The Herons currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference.