Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez has been handed a six-game suspension following an ugly altercation in the aftermath of his side’s defeat to Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final.

The 38-year-old was at the centre of a heated moment after the final whistle at Inter Miami’s three-nil defeat to Seattle Sounders on Monday, where he first clashed with midfielder Obed Vargas, grabbing the 18-year-old around the neck before team-mate Sergio Busquets struck the youngster on the chin. 

Moments later, Suárez turned his anger towards Sounders’ director of security Gene Ramirez and spat in his face while being restrained by goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.

The disciplinary committee confirmed that the Uruguayan striker would serve a six-match ban in the 2026 edition of the Leagues Cup, while Major League Soccer could still impose further sanctions.

Sergio Busquets and Tomas Avilés were also punished with two and three-match suspensions, respectively, while Seattle assistant coach Steven Lenhart received a five-match ban.

The forward apologised for his behaviour, conceding it was “a very tense and frustrating moment.” He admitted he “made a mistake” and expressed regret, apologising to his family, club, and “everyone who was hurt” by his actions.

The veteran striker has had a long history of disciplinary controversies, which includes his time at Anfield where he served an eight-game ban at Liverpool in 2011, for racially abusing Patrice Evra, and was infamously punished on three separate occasions for biting opponents once at Ajax in 2010. Also, while at Liverpool in 2013, and most notably at the 2014 World Cup with Uruguay when he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Regardless of his on-field disputes, he enjoyed an incredible career for club and country, winning trophies across Europe’s top leagues, also part of the famous “MSN” trio with Lionel Messi and Neymar. For Uruguay, after retiring last year, he finished as their all-time leading top scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances and won the 2011 Copa América.