The Leagues Organizing Committee Cup suspended Inter Miami Luis Suarez striker for six games on Friday (5) for spitting on a member of the Seattle Sounders team after the recent tournament final.
Following the final whistle in the 3-0 win in Seattle, the teams were involved in a confusion that included Suarez’s spit incident, as well as Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, apparently punching a punch.
Leagues Cup suspended Busquets for two games and Miami’s defender Tomás Avilés for three games for his aggressive behavior in confusion. Sounders technical assistant Steven Lenhart received a five -game suspension after being reported for violent conduct.
These suspensions only cover the future participation in the Leagues Cup – the mid -season tournament featuring MLS and MX League teams and has just completed its fifth edition.
Regarding Major League Soccer, the Leagues CUP Committee noted in a statement that MLS “reserves the right to impose additional disciplinary actions on the players and coaching staff involved.”
It is unclear if MLS will do that. Inter Miami is scheduled to host the Sounders on September 16 in the League game.
Suarez, former Grêmio, apologized for his behavior on a social media post on Thursday.
“It was a moment of great tension and frustration, where right after the end of the game happened things that should not have happened, but that does not justify my reaction,” he wrote in part.
“I made a mistake and I apologize. It’s not the image I want to pass on to my family, which suffers from my mistakes, or my club, which also doesn’t deserve to be affected by something like that.
“I feel bad for what happened, and I didn’t want to let the opportunity to recognize and apologize to everyone who felt bad for what I did. We know there is still a lot of season ahead and we will work together to try to win the triumphs that this club and its fans deserve. A hug to all.”
Suarez, a 38 -year -old Uruguayan who has been a star of Liverpool and Barcelona, has a history of bad behavior. Three times he has been suspended for biting opponents, and was once suspended for racial abuse, although he denied the accusation.
The Uruguayan has 6 goals and 10 assists in 22 MLS matches this season, and added three goals and three assists in six CUP Leaves matches.
