MLS Suspends Suárez for Three Games Following Spitting Incident

US media reports indicate that Major League Soccer has suspended Luis Suárez for three matches after the altercation following the Leagues Cup final between Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders. Suárez was involved in the incident, first putting Obed Vargas in a headlock and later being seen shouting at and spitting on Sounders security director Gene Ramirez.

The 38-year-old forward will miss Inter Miami’s next three matches: away against Charlotte FC on September 13, a home game against Seattle on September 16, and another home match against DC United on September 20. This suspension adds to existing penalties issued by the Leagues Cup disciplinary committee, which sanctioned Suárez with six games, Sergio Busquets with two, and Tomás Áviles with three. With both Suárez and Busquets set to be free agents at the end of the season, it remains uncertain if they will serve these tournament suspensions.

Suárez apologized on Instagram four days after the final. He stated, “It was a moment of great tension and frustration, where right after the match things happened that shouldn’t have happened, but that doesn’t justify my reaction. I was wrong and I sincerely regret it.”

The league also removed the credentials of Seattle psychologist Steven Lenhart, a former MLS player, for the remainder of the 2025 season due to his role in the brawl. Busquets, in contrast, faced no league penalties despite being seen placing his hand in Vargas’ face during the incident.

For Inter Miami, currently positioned sixth in the Eastern Conference, the absence of Suárez is significant as the team aims for improved playoff standing.