Luis Suarez Slapped with Extended MLS Suspension Following Heated Inter Miami vs Seattle Sounders Clash

Major League Soccer imposed a three-game suspension on Luis Suárez for allegedly spitting at a Seattle Sounders staff member after the Leagues Cup championship match.

Pandemonium broke out at Lumen Field following Seattle Sounders' commanding 3–0 triumph over Inter Miami this past Sunday evening. When the match concluded, players from both teams engaged in a massive altercation that eclipsed the Sounders' title celebration.

Suárez had already been handed a six-game suspension by the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the melee, but MLS chose to impose additional penalties. The striker is now barred from Inter Miami's next three regular season contests.

Javier Mascherano will be missing his forward for the Herons' coming matches against Charlotte, Seattle Sounders and D.C. United.

While Tomás Avilés and Sergio Busquets also faced Leagues Cup suspensions for allegedly throwing strikes after the one-sided loss, neither received further sanctions from MLS. Avilés will serve his three-game ban in next season's Leagues Cup, as will Busquets with his two-game penalty, without missing any MLS fixtures.

Seattle Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart, however, will have his MLS credentials suspended for the remainder of the 2025 regular season and playoffs due to his violent behavior during the brawl.

Inter Miami publicly denounced the incidents that occurred on the field on Aug. 31 in an official statement: "Inter Miami condemns the altercations that took place following the conclusion of the Leagues Cup Final. These actions do not reflect the values of our sport, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the pitch.

"We are working closely with Leagues Cup and MLS officials to ensure the situation is addressed appropriately."

Suárez posted an apology for his conduct on social media, describing his actions as a "mistake" that "shouldn't have happened."

The Uruguayan will remain suspended for the next three games, unable to return until Inter Miami faces NYCFC on Sept. 24.