Luis Suarez Slapped with Extended Leagues Cup Suspension as Sergio Busquets Faces Punishment Too
On Friday, the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee issued disciplinary measures against Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders FC following the altercation that erupted after Seattle's commanding 3–0 victory in the 2025 Leagues Cup Final.
Though the brawl cast a shadow over Seattle's championship celebration, multiple players and coaching staff were observed exchanging blows, with Luis Suárez notably caught spitting at a Sounders staff member during the fracas.
The organizing committee, which holds jurisdiction over the 2026 Leagues Cup and subsequent tournaments, detailed its disciplinary actions and monetary penalties for those implicated.
The disciplinary measures feature a six-match suspension for Suárez, a three-game penalty for his Miami colleague Tomas Aviles, who was captured on camera throwing punches, and a two-game suspension for midfielder Sergio Busquets, whose contract expires following the 2025 campaign.
Additionally, Sounders assistant coach Steven Lenhart received a five-game suspension, though no Seattle players faced match bans.
Financial penalties have been imposed on all violators.
The declared suspensions and monetary sanctions originate from the tournament's governing body and will not affect the 2025 MLS regular season or MLS Cup Playoffs. Nevertheless, MLS retains the authority to impose further penalties that could influence the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
Historical precedent exists for such MLS action. In 2024, Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango faced suspension for breaching MLS' anti-harassment guidelines and missed league fixtures, while in 2019, RSL head coach Mike Petke received a three-game Leagues Cup suspension for verbally attacking referees. MLS subsequently added another three-match ban and fine.
The Leagues Cup Organizing Committee's rulings were announced within 24 hours of both Suárez and Inter Miami releasing public apologies for the post-match conduct.
Miami has nine regular-season fixtures left in 2025, including a matchup against Seattle on Sept. 16 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which will presumably carry heightened intensity following the Leagues Cup incident.