Controversy and punishment seem to follow Luis Suárez wherever he goes. The Uruguayan forward for Inter Miami has once again found himself in trouble after committing an unsportsmanlike act on the pitch. This time, the veteran striker has been handed a one-match suspension.
As a result, Suárez will be unavailable for Inter Miami’s crucial play-off match against Nashville, scheduled for Saturday. His absence could prove costly as Miami look to secure a place in the next round of the MLS play-offs.
The incident occurred last Sunday during the second round of the play-offs against Nashville. In the 71st minute, Suárez kicked opposing defender Andy Najar off the ball — an act that initially went unnoticed by the referee. However, after post-match video review, the MLS Disciplinary Committee deemed his conduct violent and imposed a one-match ban.
Match Summary
| Fixture | Nashville vs Inter Miami (Play-off, 2nd Round) |
|---|---|
| Minute of Incident | 71st |
| Player Involved | Luis Suárez |
| Opponent | Andy Najar |
| Offence | Off-the-ball kick |
| Punishment | One-match suspension |
Interestingly, Suárez escaped any punishment during the match itself — he was neither shown a card nor called for a foul. The disciplinary action came only after the MLS committee reviewed the footage in detail.
That same match saw Nashville win 2–1, levelling the play-off series and forcing a decisive third match. Miami had earlier won the first leg 3–1. Saturday’s fixture will now decide which side progresses further in the competition.
This is not the first time Suárez has faced disciplinary action in Major League Soccer. Back in September, during the Leagues Cup final against Seattle Sounders, he was found guilty of spitting on a member of the opposition’s staff. For that offence, he initially received a three-match ban from the MLS, which was later extended to six matches by the Leagues Cup committee.
Throughout his career, Suárez has been no stranger to controversy — from biting incidents to on-field altercations. Yet, despite his chequered disciplinary record, the 37-year-old forward continues to be a decisive figure for whichever team he represents, combining aggression with world-class finishing.