Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez has apologized for spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member. The incident took place on Sunday after the Leagues Cup final.
Seattle won the match 3-0 at home. After the final whistle, players and staff from both teams got into a scuffle. During that moment, Suarez spat on a Sounders staff member. Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets was also seen appearing to throw a punch.
On Thursday, Suarez shared an apology on Instagram. He wrote, “First, I want to congratulate the Seattle Sounders for their Leagues Cup triumph. But most of all, I want to apologize for my behavior when the game ended.”
He added, “It was a moment of much tension and frustration, where just after the game ended things happened that shouldn’t have happened but that doesn’t justify my reaction. I made a mistake and sincerely apologize. It’s not the image I want to give in front of my family, that suffers because of my mistakes, in front of my club, that also doesn’t deserve seeing themselves affected by something like this.”
Suarez also said, “I feel bad for what happened, and I didn’t want to let pass the opportunity to recognize and apologize to everything that felt bad for what I did. We know there is still a lot of season left ahead and we will work together to try and get the triumphs that this club and its fans deserve. A hug to all.”
Inter Miami also issued a statement on Thursday. The club said, “Inter Miami condemns the altercations that took place following the conclusion of the Leagues Cup Final. These actions do not reflect the values of our sport, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the pitch. We are working closely with Leagues Cup and MLS officials to ensure the situation is addressed appropriately. We thank our fans and community for their continued support.”
Suarez, 38, has faced controversy before. He was suspended three times in his career for biting opponents. He also once received a ban for racial abuse, though he denied the allegation.
It is not clear what punishment Suarez might face for this incident. The Leagues Cup has its own disciplinary committee, separate from Major League Soccer and Liga MX.
Inter Miami hold a record of 13 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses, with 46 points. They sit sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference ahead of Saturday’s away match against Charlotte FC.
So far this MLS season, Suarez has scored six goals and provided 10 assists in 22 games. In the Leagues Cup, he scored three goals and made three assists in six appearances.