Luis Suárez hit with lengthy ban after spitting episode in the Leagues Cup final against Seattle Sounders
Sergio Busquets, Tomás Avilés, and a member of the Seattle Sounders coaching staff also face punishment for the post-game altercations.
The Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee dropped the hammer Friday morning, announcing a wave of suspensions following the chaotic scenes that erupted after last Sunday’s final between Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders.
The most severe penalty was handed to Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, who was hit with a six-match suspension for spitting at a member of Seattle’s coaching staff.
According to the official statement, Suárez’s actions were reported by match officials immediately after the final whistle. The committee cited Article 4.2.C of the 2025 Leagues Cup Competition Regulations in issuing the ban, which will take effect in next year’s tournament. That means Suárez will be sidelined for the entirety of the 2026 Leagues Cup, barring any format changes.
At this time, Major League Soccer has not issued any additional sanctions, so the punishment applies strictly to the Leagues Cup. However, MLS reserves the right to take further disciplinary action.
More suspensions following post-match melee
Suárez wasn’t the only one facing consequences. Inter Miami teammates Sergio Busquets and Tomás Avilés were also punished for violent conduct. Busquets was suspended for two Leagues Cup matches after reportedly punching Seattle midfielder Obed Vargas in the face. Avilés received a three-match ban for unspecified violent behavior.
On the Seattle side, assistant coach Steven Lenhart was handed a five-game suspension for his role in the physical altercation with Inter Miami players.
All four individuals will also face financial penalties, and their suspensions must be served in future editions of the Leagues Cup until fully completed.
A familiar pattern for Suárez
This latest incident adds to Suárez’s long history of disciplinary trouble. From biting opponents to a notorious handball that denied Ghana a World Cup semifinal spot in 2010, the veteran forward has often found himself at the center of controversy.
Suárez has since issued a public apology, stating: “Things happened right after the match that shouldn’t have happened, but that doesn’t justify my reaction. I was wrong and I sincerely regret it. It’s not the image I want to portray, neither to my family, who are suffering because of my mistakes, nor to my club, which doesn’t deserve to be affected by something like this.”
With the dust still settling, all eyes now turn to MLS to see whether further disciplinary measures will follow. For now, the fallout from the Leagues Cup final continues to ripple through both locker rooms.
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