Luis Suarez Suspended for Spitting on Sounders Staffer After Miami's Leagues Cup Loss

Inter Miami star Luis Suárez received a six-game suspension from Leagues Cup play for appearing to spit on a member of the Seattle Sounders staff, ESPN's Lizzy Becherano reported Friday.

Suarez also received a three-game suspension from Major League Soccer:

The incident between Suárez and Sounders director of security Gene Ramirez took place after Inter Miami conceded a 3-0 loss to Seattle in last Sunday's Leagues Cup final.

Inter Miami's Sergio Busquets will be suspended for two games, while Tomás Avilés will be suspended for three games for their involvement in postgame altercations, per Becherano.

Sounders assistant coach Steven Lenhart meanwhile received a five-game suspension.

Suárez apologized for the incident in a statement posted on his Instagram (translation h/t Fox Sports).

"Things happened right after the match that shouldn't have happened, but that doesn't justify my reaction. I was wrong and I sincerely regret it," Suárez wrote.

Given that the two teams who made Sunday's final played six Leagues Cup games this year, Suárez's penalty means could be forced to sit out the entirety of the 2026 tournament.

Both Suárez and Busquets are playing on contracts that are set to expire at the end of this MLS campaign, however, opening the possibility they could retire before serving the Leagues Cup suspension.

An MLS suspension was in play, as the league's CBA indicates that players can receive discipline for actions in tournaments outside MLS play, as previously noted by Men in Red 97's Tim Hotze.

Inter Miami said in a statement shared Friday that the club "condemns the altercations" and is "working closely with Leagues Cup and MLS officials to ensure the situation is addressed appropriately."

Suárez now appears set to miss matches against Charlotte FC, Seattle and D.C. United. He would be eligible to return for Inter Miami against New York City FC on Sept. 24.