Inter Miami coach Mascherano in-game cell phone use sparks fierce debate

Inter Miami booked its ticket to the Leagues Cup semifinals Wednesday night with a dramatic 2–1 win over Liga MX side Tigres, thanks to two clutch penalties from Luis Suárez.

With Lionel Messi sidelined due to injury, Suárez took center stage, converting from the spot in both the 23rd and 89th minutes to seal the victory.

Mascherano sent off for dissent

But the post-game buzz wasn’t just about the goals—it was about the drama off the pitch. Head coach Javier Mascherano was ejected at halftime after a heated exchange with officials over extended stoppage time. Referee Mario Escobar had signaled four minutes of added time, but let play continue for nearly seven, sparking outrage from the Miami bench.

Mascherano was forced to watch the second half from a suite in Chase Stadium, communicating with his staff via cellphone - a move that, while controversial, didn’t violate tournament rules. Assistant coach Leandro Stillitano took over on the sidelines as Miami held on for the win

In the final tense moments of the game, Mascherano was caught on camera in the stands, phone pressed to his ear, seemingly relaying tactical instructions to his coaching staff.

The footage quickly ignited controversy. Was Mascherano bending the rules by coaching remotely after being sent off?

According to club sources speaking to AS USA and other outlets, the answer is no. “Coach Mascherano was seated in a designated area in accordance with tournament regulations,” a team spokesperson said. “Mobile phone communication is not prohibited under Leagues Cup rules. Please note that all actions are subject to review by the tournament’s Disciplinary Committee.”

So while the optics may have raised eyebrows—especially among fans familiar with stricter rules in other sports—Mascherano’s sideline strategy appears to be above board - technically speaking.

Still, the incident has sparked broader questions about coaching boundaries and whether the Leagues Cup might tighten its regulations in the future. For now, though, Mascherano’s call from the luxury box remains a legal, if unconventional, move.

Possible sanction for Mascherano’s coaching staff?

While Mascherano may have dodged a direct penalty for using his cellphone after being ejected, the Leagues Cup rulebook leaves room for disciplinary action against his coaching staff.

According to tournament regulations, there’s no explicit clause banning a head coach from communicating via phone after a red card. However, the rules do outline two key provisions that could put Mascherano’s staff in hot water:

Mascherano’s phone call from the stands—while not directly prohibited—may fall outside the scope of permitted use if it was intended to circumvent his ejection and continue coaching. That opens the door for the tournament’s Disciplinary Committee to investigate whether his staff violated the spirit of the rules by acting on unauthorized instructions.

So while Mascherano himself may be in the clear, Inter Miami’s bench could be facing a potential suspension if the committee determines the communication crossed the line.