Sophia
The aftermath of the heated 2025 Leagues Cup Final between Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders FC has resulted in significant disciplinary action, with star striker Luis Suárez receiving a lengthy six-match ban. His Inter Miami teammate, Sergio Busquets, also faces a two-game suspension, while further sanctions could impact the ongoing MLS regular season.
Post-Final Melee Leads to Heavy Penalties
Sunday night’s 2025 Leagues Cup Final, where Seattle Sounders FC triumphed 3-0 over Inter Miami, concluded not with celebratory fireworks but with a chaotic scuffle between players and staff. The melee, which saw punches thrown, was notably highlighted by an incident involving Luis Suárez, who was observed spitting on a Sounders staff member.
On Friday, the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee, which governs the competition from 2026 onwards, announced its initial findings and disciplinary actions. The committee outlined a series of suspensions and fines for those involved:
- Luis Suárez (Inter Miami): Six-match ban.
- Tomás Avilés (Inter Miami): Three-match ban, following photographic evidence of him throwing punches.
- Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami): Two-match ban.
- Steven Lenhart (Sounders Assistant Coach): Five-match ban.
While several Inter Miami personnel faced suspensions, no Seattle Sounders players were disciplined, though all offenders were also issued fines.
MLS Could Impose Further Sanctions
It’s crucial to note that the suspensions and fines issued by the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee specifically apply to the Leagues Cup competition itself and do not directly impact the 2025 MLS regular season or MLS Cup Playoffs. However, Major League Soccer (MLS) retains the authority to impose additional punishments that could affect the remainder of the 2025 season.
There is a clear precedent for MLS to act independently. In 2024, Real Salt Lake’s Cristian Arango was suspended for violating MLS’s anti-harassment policy, leading to missed league games. Similarly, in 2019, RSL head coach Mike Petke received an initial three-game Leagues Cup ban for berating officials, to which MLS added an extra three-match suspension and a fine.
Apologies Issued Amidst Mounting Pressure
The committee’s decisions came swiftly, less than 24 hours after both Luis Suárez and Inter Miami released statements apologizing for the behavior displayed after the final whistle. Despite these apologies, the severity of the bans underscores the committee’s commitment to maintaining decorum and sportsmanship in the competition.
Inter Miami has nine regular-season matches remaining in 2025. Their upcoming clash against Seattle on September 16 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is now anticipated to carry an added layer of tension and emotion, serving as a highly anticipated rematch following the Leagues Cup outburst.
Read the latest MLS news, transfer rumors, and gossip to stay updated on how these bans might impact Inter Miami’s playoff push.
