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By Oscar Okhifo
Inter Miami striker, Luis Suárez has been slapped with a six-match suspension following his role in the chaotic scenes that marred the 2025 Leagues Cup final, where Seattle Sounders thrashed Miami 3–0 in Mexico City.
The post-match fracas saw the veteran Uruguayan striker grab Seattle midfielder Obed Vargas in a headlock before spitting at a member of the Sounders’ staff, identified as security director Gene Ramirez. The disciplinary committee moved swiftly, ruling that Suárez’s actions breached Article 4.2.C of the competition’s regulations.
The punishment will apply exclusively to future Leagues Cup tournaments. That means Suárez, whose contract with Inter Miami runs out at the end of this season, could theoretically avoid serving the full ban if he leaves Major League Soccer or retires before the next editions.
Suárez has since issued an apology, admitting he was wrong. He said: “I made a mistake and I sincerely regret it. It’s not the image I want to portray to my family, to the fans, or to my club. Am very sorry”
Other players and staff were also sanctioned. Miami captain Sergio Busquets received a two-match ban for striking Vargas during the melee, while teammate Tomás Avilés was hit with a three-match suspension.
On the Seattle side, assistant coach Steven Lenhart got a five-match ban for his role in the altercation.
Although the sanctions will not affect the ongoing MLS regular season, the league has not ruled out taking additional disciplinary action.
This latest controversy adds to Suárez’s long list of on-field disciplinary issues, including three separate biting incidents, a notorious handball in the 2010 World Cup, and a ban for racial abuse in 2011.
Inter Miami issued a brief statement on Friday, saying the club respects the ruling but stands by its striker. “We acknowledge the disciplinary committee’s decision and will comply fully. Luis has apologized and taken responsibility for his actions. As a club, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism on and off the pitch,” the statement read.
The Seattle Sounders also weighed in, calling the incident unacceptable. “There is no place for spitting or violent conduct in our game. While we welcome the disciplinary committee’s decision, our priority remains protecting our players and staff. We are proud of how our team conducted itself during a tense situation,” the club said.
The incident has sparked fresh debate over player conduct in high-stakes competitions and leaves a cloud hanging over Suárez’s final months with Inter Miami.
Analysts say the fallout could dent Miami’s global image.
“This is not the kind of publicity the Beckham project envisioned. With Messi as the club’s leader, they will need to show discipline and class to protect the brand,” noted U.S. soccer pundit Alexi Lalas.
Fans, too, have weighed in, with many calling on Messi to steady the ship.
One Miami supporter wrote on social media, “Messi must set the tone now. The world is watching Inter Miami, and this scandal cannot define us.”