SerpApi.Org
On the heels of the 2026 World Cup, club soccer seasons are getting back into full swing. Brazilian and former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro's move to Inter Miami is being investigated by the MLS for tampering.
The American soccer league has a system in place, called discovery rights, in which a player joining the MLS from another league can only negotiate with a club that has the player's rights. If a club signs a player without those discovery rights, it is required to make a payment and officially acquire their rights.
While Casemiro was signed as a free transfer, Miami will likely have to pay an additional fee for signing the Brazilian because the LA Galaxy had his discovery rights.
Here's the rundown on why Inter Miami's latest signing is being investigated by the MLS.
MORE: Ranking the top 14 moments from the 2026 World Cup
Inter Miami tampering investigation, explained
In the early afternoon on Wednesday, 2025 MLS Cup winners Inter Miami made headlines after they officially signed five-time Champions League winner Casemiro. The midfielder had just played for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup and capped off a strong season for Manchester United.
The defensive midfielder would imminently be joining Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul, but not before the MLS deemed the move investigation-worthy. According to The Athletic's Tom Bogert, the league has since opened an investigation over tampering charges due to the LA Galaxy having Casemiro's discovery rights.
Discovery rights is a system that gives a club the exclusive right to negotiate with a player outside of the MLS who wants to join the league, according to Minnesota United, an MLS club. Clubs can submit up to seven confidential claims to the league. If another team wants to sign that player, they must trade for or buy out those rights.
MORE: What are the top 10 goals from the latest World Cup?
What did Inter Miami allegedly do?
Allegedly, Inter Miami has been cited as violating the MLS tampering rules, according to The Athletic.
Before a team signs a player who is coming from a league outside of the MLS, teams are required to gain discovery rights before contacting a potential signing. Miami will pay Los Angeles for Casemiro's discovery rights, but a final amount will be determined after the investigation is finalized.
"Major League Soccer is reviewing a tampering allegation against Inter Miami CF," the MLS statement said, per The Athletic. "The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete. While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the Discovery Priority to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation."
MORE: Which players made SN's World Cup best XI?
What are possible punishments for tampering?
Inter Miami will now have to pay Los Angeles for signing Casemiro despite not having his discovery rights. That final figure is yet to be determined until the league's tampering investigation concludes.
In 2024, Charlotte FC wanted to sign Marco Reus, a German midfielder coming to the MLS from Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Charlotte originally held Reus' rights, as he held a spot on the squad's discovery list while he played for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Once he departed from Germany, he expressed a desire to play in the City of Angels instead of Charlotte. While the Galaxy did not tamper, they were required to pay a $400,000 fee for his rights.
MORE: Watch Spain's World Cup celebrations from around the world
