The Leagues Cup has officially handed down punishments for a post-game brawl that erupted after the the competition’s final on Sunday, via multiple media outlets. Members of Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders were both punished for their role in the fight, which took place moments after the Sounders defeated Miami 3-0.
Luis Suárez, who seemed to spark the fight, was given the largest punishment with a suspension of six games. Suárez instigated the fight by pulling Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas into a headlock, before later getting into a confrontation with Sounders security staff member Gene Ramirez and appearing to spit on him.
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Seattle staff member Steven Lenhart was given a suspension of five games. Lenhart, a former player with the Columbus Crew and San Jose Earthquakes, earned a degree in performance psychology and joined the team in April as a mental health advisor, per Sounder at Heart.
Two more Miami players were also penalized: 21-year-old defender Tomás Avilés was suspended for three games, while veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets received a two-game suspension. Avilés and Busquets both appeared to throw a few punches at Sounders players during the fight.
The suspensions, which are handed down directly by the League Cup organization, will be served during next year’s tournament. The four members will also be fined for their actions.
MLS can also choose to punish the players directly, with the league reportedly still going through its disciplinary process. MLS has punished players and coaches for conduct in non-league play in the past, and will likely do so again given the severity and visibility of the fight.
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Suárez apologized for his conduct on Instagram on Thursday, though he did not directly address any specific incidents from the fight.
“It was a moment of high tension and frustration, and while certain things happened after the final whistle that should not have, that does not excuse my reaction. I was wrong, and I deeply regret it,” Suárez wrote.
Inter Miami also released a vague statement of its on Thursday, saying that it “condemns the altercations that took place” and that it was working with the Leagues Cup and MLS officials to make sure the incident is “addressed appropriately.”
