Inter Miami`s Luis Suarez faces a potential lengthy suspension following an incident where he spat on a Seattle Sounders staff member during the Leagues Cup final, a match Inter Miami lost 3-0. The final was also marred by a brawl, with Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets seemingly punching Seattle midfielder Obed Vargas. While the Leagues Cup disciplinary committee will initially review Suarez`s actions, the implications could extend to MLS play.
Suarez has a documented history of disciplinary issues, including a charge of racially abusing Manchester United`s Patrice Evra in 2011, biting Chelsea`s Branislav Ivanovic in 2013, and biting Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup. The World Cup incident resulted in a significant four-month ban from soccer. While this current situation may not lead to such an extensive suspension, it raises questions about the remainder of his MLS season.
Past incidents provide precedents for cross-competition suspensions. In 2015, high-profile player Clint Dempsey received a six-game U.S. Open Cup suspension for confronting a referee and tearing up their notebook, with MLS subsequently adding a three-game league suspension. Similarly, former Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke incurred a three-game Leagues Cup ban for actions towards referees, which was then extended by a three-match MLS suspension.
More recently, in the 2024 playoffs, former Houston Dynamo midfielder Hector Herrera was red-carded for spitting in the direction of a referee. This incident reportedly influenced Houston`s decision not to pick up his team option, as confirmed by general manager Pat Onstad. Herrera did not receive an additional suspension due to the timing, but this does not preclude a further ban for Suarez.
What does the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) permit regarding such punishments?
What the CBA Allows for Disciplinary Action
Although the incident occurred during the Leagues Cup, the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) allows for disciplinary action under `on-field misconduct.` This provision broadly covers `misconduct that occurs in any stadium or playing facility and which occurs at, during, or in connection with any game or tournament in which the player competes.`
Because Suarez`s actions took place at Lumen Field, the MLS Disciplinary Committee is authorized to impose penalties. This committee comprises five members, four of whom are appointed by the commissioner, with two members required to be former MLS players. The committee can issue suspensions, and if a suspension exceeds two games, the MLS Players Association may appeal to the commissioner in writing, leading to the scheduling of an appeal hearing.
The exact number of games the league might impose remains unclear. However, given the seriousness of the incident, it would not be surprising if Suarez were to miss all of Inter Miami`s remaining 10 MLS regular season games. With Inter Miami`s next match scheduled for September 13th, there is ample time for the league to deliberate and address the full ramifications of a potential suspension.
