Luis Suarez's recent apology has done little to sway the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee, as the Inter Miami star has been handed a six-match ban following his actions in the aftermath of the Leagues Cup final. The incident, which involved Suarez spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member, occurred after Inter Miami's 3-0 defeat to Seattle.

The ban means that Suarez will miss the entirety of next year's Leagues Cup and could potentially extend into the 2027 edition, depending on Inter Miami's progress in future tournaments. While the suspension does not directly impact his availability for Major League Soccer (MLS) matches, the MLS reserves the right to impose further disciplinary actions.

The incident occurred last Sunday in Seattle, immediately following the final whistle. Suarez was seen rushing towards Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas, grabbing him in a headlock, which ignited a melee involving players and staff from both teams. As officials worked to restore order, Suarez was caught on camera spitting at a member of the Sounders' security staff.

In addition to Suarez's ban, Inter Miami's Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles received two and three-game suspensions, respectively, for violent conduct during the post-match fracas. Seattle Sounders assistant coach Steven Lenhart was also handed a five-game suspension for his role in the incident. All four individuals sanctioned will also receive fines, the amounts of which have not been disclosed.

Suarez issued an apology on social media on Thursday, acknowledging his mistake and expressing regret. He stated, "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". He added, "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".

Inter Miami also released a statement condemning the altercations and affirming their commitment to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship. The club stated they are working closely with Leagues Cup and MLS officials to ensure the situation is addressed appropriately.

This is not the first time Suarez has faced disciplinary action for his on-field behavior. He has been suspended on multiple occasions for biting opponents, including a notable incident during the 2014 World Cup when he bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. He also served a ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra in 2011. Additionally, he was involved in a controversial handball incident during the 2010 World Cup.

The Leagues Cup is a separate competition from MLS, featuring teams from both MLS and Mexico's Liga MX. The suspensions issued by the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee will only apply to future editions of the tournament. However, MLS has the authority to impose further sanctions that could affect Suarez's availability for the remainder of the 2025 MLS season.