Major League Soccer (MLS) has launched an investigation into allegations of tampering against Inter Miami following their high-profile signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
On Wednesday, Inter Miami announced the signing of the 34-year-old—who parted ways with Manchester United at the end of last season—on a contract running through the end of the 2027 MLS campaign, with an option to extend until June 2029.
However, shortly after the announcement, MLS issued an official statement confirming it is actively reviewing a tampering claim against the club.
“The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” MLS stated. “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.”
The investigation revolves around Casemiro’s “discovery rights”—an MLS rule that grants a designated club the first right of refusal to sign an incoming player. Under league guidelines, clubs may hold up to five players on their discovery list at any given time and can modify the list as needed. While the LA Galaxy originally held Casemiro’s discovery rights, Inter Miami stated during their announcement that they had successfully acquired those rights.
In a separate statement, the LA Galaxy confirmed:
“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.”
Casemiro previously announced in January that he would leave Old Trafford at the end of the 2026–27 season after a mutual agreement not to renew his contract. The decorated midfielder won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid prior to joining Manchester United in 2022. He also recently represented Brazil, reaching the round of 16 at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
During his time at Old Trafford, Casemiro registered 160 appearances, scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists while helping the club secure both an EFL Cup and an FA Cup. Following his departure, Manchester United quickly prioritized midfield upgrades, acquiring Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50 million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million.
Reflecting on his new career chapter, Casemiro shared:
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow.”
Prior to the investigation’s announcement, Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham expressed his excitement:
“He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game. 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 Inter Miami, Casemiro will reunite with former Real Madrid and Manchester United teammate Sergio Reguilón, alongside Argentina’s World Cup finalists Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul.
This is not the first time Inter Miami has faced regulatory scrutiny. In 2021, the club was fined $2 million for violating MLS roster rules regarding the 2020 signing of French midfielder Blaise Matuidi from Juventus. The league found that Matuidi’s compensation exceeded allowed limits, effectively giving Inter Miami four “Designated Players” instead of the maximum permitted three. Commonly referred to as the ‘Beckham Rule’—introduced when the former England captain signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007—the Designated Player rule allows clubs to acquire high-profile foreign players whose wages fall outside the league’s strict salary cap.
