Suarez given six-match ban for spitting incident

Following their 3-0 League Cup final defeat, Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez received a six-game suspension for spitting at a Seattle Sounders employee.

Following a melee involving both sets of players and the Uruguayan, the incident occurred shortly after the match’s full-time whistle on August 31.

Obed Vargas was grabbed by Suarez around the neck before team-mate Sergio Busquets hit the Mexico international in the chin.

Suarez and Sounders security director Gene Ramirez got into a fight moments later, and teammate Oscar Ustari held him while spitting in Ramirez’s face.

Suarez, 38, apologized for his actions in a statement on his Instagram account.

Suarez’s suspension would only be effective for the following year’s edition of the tournament, according to a statement from the Leagues Cup disciplinary committee, but Major League Soccer “reserves the right” to impose additional sanctions.

Teams from the MLS and the Liga MX compete in the Leagues Cup each year.

Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles, Suarez’s Inter Miami teammates, have received two and three game suspensions, respectively.

Steven Lenhart, a member of the Seattle coaching staff, has received a five-game suspension.

Suarez has had a number of controversy-related incidents throughout his career.

Suarez was given an eight-game ban for his role in Liverpool in 2011 after being found guilty of racist abuse of Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra.