Lionel Messi will not have his longtime teammate Luis Suarez alongside him for a crucial match that could end Inter Miami’s season on Saturday.
Suarez has been suspended for Saturday’s decisive playoff
game against Nashville SC, Major League Soccer announced Wednesday. The suspension follows his actions in Game 2 of the series, specifically kicking Nashville’s Andy Nájar this past weekend.
Suarez was also fined an undisclosed amount, according to MLS. Inter Miami must win Game 3 of the series against Nashville on Saturday, or their season will end.
MLS’ disciplinary committee stated that Suarez’s “violent conduct” in the 71st minute of the match on November 1 warranted the suspension, despite no foul being called against him during the play. MLS rules allow the committee to issue a suspension unanimously even if no foul was called in real-time.
Suarez extended his right leg and struck Nájar, with neither of them near the ball.
What Then For Luis Suarez?
Later on Wednesday, Inter Miami stated it “accepts and respects the decision made by the MLS Disciplinary Committee.”
“At the same time, the club wishes to express its concern about the precedent set by re-refereeing a play that had already been judged by the match officials and VAR, and its confidence that the same standard will be applied in the future to all on-field situations, in any match and involving any team,” Inter Miami’s statement read.
MLS had previously suspended Suarez earlier this season for three league matches after he was caught spitting at someone during a melee following Inter Miami’s loss to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final on August 31. The Leagues Cup also suspended Suarez for six future matches in its tournament. MLS took action even though the incidents that marred the end of that game were not in a league match.
Suarez has served suspensions on three other occasions during his career for biting opponents.
Additionally, MLS announced Wednesday that Inter Miami defender Ian Fray has been fined for “violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment” during the Nashville match last weekend. The amount of the fine was not disclosed.
Inter Miami won Game 1 of the series but lost Game 2 in Nashville. Last season, Inter Miami failed to advance past the first round, losing Game 3 at home to Atlanta.
Messi played with Suarez, whose status for 2026 and beyond remains uncertain, as well as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba for years at Barcelona. Suarez joined Busquets and Alba at Inter Miami after Messi stunned many in the soccer world by deciding to sign with Inter Miami midway through 2023.
Messi has extended his contract through 2028. Busquets and Alba will retire when this Inter Miami season ends.
(With inputs from Agencies)
