Luis Suárez Handed Three-Match MLS Ban for Spitting Incident

Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez has been handed a three-match suspension by Major League Soccer following a spitting incident that occurred after the Leagues Cup final defeat to Seattle Sounders.

The sanction, announced on Monday, comes three days after the Leagues Cup imposed its own six-game ban on the Uruguayan forward for spitting at a Sounders official in the aftermath of Miami’s 3-0 loss on 31 August. While the tournament’s suspension applies solely to next year’s edition, MLS has moved to enforce its own punishment across league fixtures.

As a result, the 38-year-old former Liverpool and Barcelona star will miss Miami’s upcoming league matches against Charlotte (14 September), Seattle (16 September), and DC United (20 September).

MLS also announced disciplinary measures against Seattle, fining the club an undisclosed sum for misusing credentials. In addition, Sounders staffer Steven Lenhart had his credentials revoked for the remainder of the season and play-offs, preventing him from accessing the pitch or dressing-room areas.

The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee handed further suspensions to Miami players Sergio Busquets and Tomás Avilés, who will miss two and three Cup matches respectively, while Lenhart was also banned from five Cup games.

The flashpoint came late in the Cup final when Suárez clashed with Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas, briefly putting him in a headlock before tensions escalated into a melee involving players and staff from both sides. As Suárez was leaving the scene, television cameras appeared to capture him spitting towards a Seattle staff member.

Suárez, who has previously served bans for biting and racially abusing opponents earlier in his career, issued a public apology last Thursday.
“It was a moment of great tension and frustration, where things happened right after the match that shouldn’t have happened — but that does not justify my reaction,” Suárez posted on Instagram.

“I was wrong and I sincerely regret it. I feel bad about what happened, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to acknowledge it and apologise to everyone who felt hurt by my actions.”

Inter Miami currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference on 46 points, 11 behind leaders Philadelphia Union but with four games in hand.