Following the final at Lumen Field on 31/8, Suarez, along with teammates Sergio Busquets, Maximiliano Falcon, and Tomas Aviles, were involved in a heated exchange and scuffle with Seattle Sounders players and staff. Falcon was seen grabbing a Seattle player by the neck, Busquets swung his arm at Obed Vargas, and Aviles threw a punch at Jackson Ragen.
Most notably, Suarez spat at Seattle Sounders' Director of Security, Gene Ramirez. Video footage of the incident quickly circulated on social media, sparking widespread outrage.
Ramirez, sought out by the press after the incident, lightheartedly quipped, "I thought Suarez was going to bite me," eliciting laughter from those present.
The Sounders staff member's remark alluded to Suarez's infamous biting incident involving Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup, which resulted in a four-month ban and a nine-match international suspension.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano evaded questions about the incident. "I have nothing to say because I was quite far away and didn't see clearly," he stated. "Of course, no one wants to see these scenes. But if there was a reaction, there might have been a provocation beforehand."
Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer expressed his disappointment that the incident overshadowed his team's victory. "It's a shame these images are getting all the attention instead of the fantastic performance by our players. But maybe it's a compliment to Seattle that the opposition was so frustrated they lost control of their emotions," Schmetzer commented.
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Players from Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders clash after the Leagues Cup final at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, USA, on the evening of 31/8/2025. Photo: AP |
Players from Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders clash after the Leagues Cup final at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, USA, on the evening of 31/8/2025. Photo: AP
ESPN commentator Craig Burley called for severe punishment for Suarez's unsporting behavior. According to regulations, spitting falls under "unsportsmanlike conduct," with potential sanctions ranging from a one- to three-match ban, depending on the referee's report. Instigating a confrontation could lead to a suspension of one to six matches, a penalty that could apply to Busquets, Falcon, and Aviles.
Meanwhile, captain Lionel Messi remained composed, congratulating coach Brian Schmetzer and the opposing team. Seattle became the first club to win every major American title: the Leagues Cup, MLS Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup, US Open Cup, and Supporters' Shield. Messi has won two titles with Miami: the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield.
Hong Duy (Marca)
