Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez may face a notable suspension after spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member during the Leagues Cup final this past Sunday, a match the Herons concluded with a 3-0 loss.
The game saw turmoil with Miami’s midfielder Sergio Busquets involved in a physical altercation with Obed Vargas, a midfielder for Seattle. The disciplinary committee overseeing the Leagues Cup will address this incident to determine potential consequences, which might also translate into additional actions from MLS.
Suarez’s history with disciplinary issues spans several serious offenses, including racial abuse allegations against Patrice Evra in 2011 and multiple biting incidents involving Branislav Ivanovic and Giorgio Chiellini. These past actions led to significant penalties, such as a four-month ban from soccer in 2014, although the current penalty may differ.
Clint Dempsey previously faced a six-game ban in the U.S. Open Cup for his confrontation with a referee and had an additional three-game suspension enforced by MLS. Similarly, Mike Petke, a former coach, received a three-game suspension from the Leagues Cup for misconduct towards officials.
In 2024, Hector Herrera from the Houston Dynamo faced a red card for spitting towards a referee during playoffs. His actions affected his position with the team but did not result in an added suspension, which may not be the case for Suarez.
What Does the CBA Allow?
Regardless of the incident occurring during the Leagues Cup, it is viewed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows for disciplinary measures for on-field misconduct at any venue where a player is competing. Since the incident occurred at Lumen Field, it permits the MLS disciplinary committee to enforce penalties. This committee typically comprises five members, including former players, along with appointed members by the commissioner. The committee has the authority to impose penalties, with any suspension exceeding two games open to appeal through the MLS Players Association.
Considering the serious nature of this infraction, it is plausible that Suarez may be absent for the remaining ten games of Miami’s MLS regular season. With the next match not scheduled until September 13, the league is afforded the opportunity to evaluate the situation and enforce necessary actions accordingly.
