MLS imposes an additional three-game suspension on Luis Suárez following a spitting incident
In the aftermath of the Leagues Cup final on August 31, which saw the Seattle Sounders triumph over Inter Miami with a 3-0 scoreline, a post-match melee ensued on the field. The incident, captured on footage, saw forward Luis Suarez of Inter Miami shouting and appearing to spit in the direction of a Sounders staff member.
The Major League Soccer (MLS) has since handed Suarez a three-match ban, effective immediately. This means he will miss out on league matches against Charlotte FC, DC United, and a rematch with the Sounders. The MLS announced the ban on Monday.
In addition, Leagues Cup organizers have suspended Suarez for six matches, to be served in the next edition of the tournament, according to TNT Sports. The decision comes following an investigation into the incident.
In a statement, Miami expressed their commitment to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the pitch. However, the club did not name Suarez in its statement, only apologising for the "altercations" that took place after the final.
Suarez, who is no stranger to controversy, has a history of suspensions. In 2011, he was banned for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and in 2013, he received a ban for biting an opponent. The Uruguayan forward has also been involved in multiple incidents of misconduct during his career.
The MLS revoked the credentials of Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart following the Leagues Cup final, and Seattle was fined an undisclosed amount for misappropriation of credentials. Meanwhile, midfielder Sergio Busquets, who appeared to strike Obed Vargas during the scuffle, avoided punishment. Busquets was, however, given a two-game suspension for the next edition of the Leagues Cup due to his involvement in the post-game altercation.
In response to the incident, Suarez wrote an apology on Instagram, stating that his reaction was wrong and he sincerely regrets it. The apology came last week, following the release of the footage showing his actions.
The Leagues Cup final marked a disappointing end to Inter Miami's season, with the team failing to secure the title despite their strong performance throughout the tournament. The aftermath of the final, however, has cast a shadow over the team, with the focus now shifting to Suarez's suspension and the club's response to the incident.
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