Casemiro Transfer Sparks MLS Probe Into Inter Miami

• Major League Soccer has launched an investigation into Inter Miami over alleged tampering following the club’s signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

• The probe centres on Casemiro’s MLS discovery rights, which were previously held by LA Galaxy before being transferred to Miami.

• The investigation comes as Inter Miami celebrates the arrival of the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star on a deal running through 2027.

July 22, (THEWILL) — Major League Soccer (MLS) has opened an investigation into Inter Miami over allegations of tampering following the club’s acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

The league confirmed the review shortly after Inter Miami officially announced the signing of the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star on Wednesday.

Casemiro, 34, has agreed to a contract that will keep him at the Florida club until the end of the 2027 MLS season, with an option to extend the deal through June 2029.

However, within minutes of the announcement, MLS revealed it was examining the circumstances surrounding the transfer.

In a statement, the league said it was gathering all relevant information before deciding on any further action.

The investigation centres on Casemiro’s discovery rights, an MLS mechanism that allows clubs to secure the first opportunity to negotiate with players who are not already part of the league.

LA Galaxy held those rights before Inter Miami announced it had acquired them as part of the deal to bring the Brazil international to South Florida.

MLS has indicated that details of the agreement between the two clubs will only be made public once the investigation is concluded.

Casemiro had announced earlier this year that he would leave Manchester United by mutual agreement after the 2026-27 season, bringing an end to a successful spell at Old Trafford.

The veteran midfielder joined United from Real Madrid in 2022 and made 160 appearances for the Premier League club, scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists. During his time in England, he helped the Red Devils win the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.

Before his move to England, Casemiro established himself as one of world football’s finest midfielders at Real Madrid, winning five UEFA Champions League titles and numerous domestic honours.

He also represented Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping the Seleção reach the Round of 16.

Speaking after completing his move to Inter Miami, Casemiro said his ambition remains unchanged despite entering the latter stages of his career.

“What motivates me the most is winning and continuing to grow”, he said.

Inter Miami co-owner, David Beckham, welcomed the signing, describing Casemiro as a proven winner whose experience will strengthen the club’s ambitions.

“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”, Beckham stated.

Casemiro joins a star-studded Inter Miami squad that already includes Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and former Real Madrid and Manchester United teammate, Sergio Reguilón.

The move is not the first time Inter Miami have come under scrutiny over player recruitment.

In 2021, the club was fined $2 million for breaching MLS roster regulations relating to the signing of French midfielder Blaise Matuidi. The league ruled that Miami had exceeded the permitted number of designated players by failing to properly classify Matuidi’s salary under MLS rules.

The designated player system, widely known as the “Beckham Rule” after David Beckham’s arrival at LA Galaxy in 2007, allows clubs to sign high-profile players whose wages exceed the league’s salary cap restrictions.

MLS has not indicated when its latest investigation into Inter Miami is expected to conclude.