Inter Miami`s Luis Suarez faces a potentially long suspension following an incident in the Leagues Cup final in Seattle, where he appeared to spit at a Seattle Sounders staff member during the 3-0 loss. The match also saw Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets seemingly punch Seattle`s Obed Vargas amid a skirmish. Although the Leagues Cup disciplinary committee will initially address Suarez`s action, the repercussions could extend to MLS play.
Suarez has a well-documented history of controversial incidents, including a racial abuse charge involving Patrice Evra in 2011, biting Branislav Ivanovic in 2013, and biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, which resulted in a four-month ban from soccer. While this latest incident might not lead to such a severe penalty, it could significantly impact his MLS season.
Past high-profile MLS suspensions for misconduct include Clint Dempsey, who received a six-game U.S. Open Cup ban plus an additional three MLS games for confronting a referee in 2015. Similarly, former Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke incurred a three-game Leagues Cup suspension, compounded by a three-match MLS ban for actions against referees.
More recently, in 2024, Houston Dynamo midfielder Hector Herrera was red-carded during the playoffs for spitting towards a referee. This incident contributed to Houston`s decision not to renew his contract. While Herrera did not receive an additional suspension due to timing, Suarez`s case may differ.
The question then arises: what disciplinary actions are permissible?
Understanding the CBA`s Stance
Despite the incident occurring in the Leagues Cup, the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) allows for discipline related to «on-field misconduct.» This broad definition covers `misconduct that occurs in any stadium or playing facility and which occurs at, during, or in connection with any game or tournament in which the player competes.`
Therefore, MLS can impose discipline on Suarez after the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee has reviewed the case. This committee, comprising five members (four appointed by the commissioner, two of whom must be former MLS players), determines the suspension. If a suspension exceeds two games, the MLS Players Association has the right to appeal in writing to the commissioner, initiating a formal appeal process.
The exact length of a potential league suspension remains uncertain. However, given the gravity of the incident, it would not be surprising if Suarez misses all of Miami`s remaining 10 regular-season MLS games. With Miami`s next match not until September 13, the league has time to thoroughly assess the situation and its potential consequences for a significant suspension.
Inter Mayami futbolchisi Luis Suares Sietldagi Ligalar Kubogi finalida Sietl Saunders xodimiga tupurgach, uzoq muddatli diskvalifikatsiyaga uchrashi mumkin. «Herons» bu o`yinda 3:0 hisobida mag`lub bo`ldi. O`yin janjallar bilan kechdi, Mayami yarim himoyachisi Serxio Buskets esa Sietl futbolchisi Obed Vargasga musht tushirganday ko`rindi. Bu hodisa Ligalar Kubogida sodir bo`lgani sababli, turnirning intizomiy qo`mitasi intizomiy choralar ko`rish uchun ushbu holatni ko`rib chiqadi, ammo bu MLSga ta`sir qilmaydi degani emas.
Suaresning o`zi ham ko`plab shov-shuvli hodisalar bilan tanilgan: 2011 yilda «Manchester Yunayted» futbolchisi Patris Evrani irqiy kamsitishda ayblangan, 2013 yilda «Chelsi» himoyachisi Branislav Ivanovichni tishlagan va 2014 yilgi Jahon chempionatida Jorjio Kyellinini tishlagan. O`sha Jahon chempionati hodisasida Suares jiddiy jazoga tortilib, to`rt oyga futboldan chetlatilgan edi. Bu safargisi unchalik uzoq bo`lmasligi mumkin, ammo bu uning MLS mavsumini yakunlashi mumkinmi?
Klint Dempsi 2015 yilda AQSh Ochiq Kubogi doirasida hakam bilan janjallashib, uning daftarini yirtib tashlaganidan so`ng, eng mashhur gumonlanuvchilardan biri bo`lgan. Dempsi turnirda olti o`yinga diskvalifikatsiya qilingan, ammo MLS ligada ham qo`shimcha uch o`yinlik diskvalifikatsiyani qo`shgan. «Real Salt Leyk» sobiq murabbiyi Mayk Petke bir safar hakamlarga nisbatan harakatlari uchun Ligalar Kubogida uch o`yinlik diskvalifikatsiya olgan edi. MLS bunga uch o`yinlik liga diskvalifikatsiyasini qo`shgan.
Yaqinda, 2024 yilda, «Xyuston Dinamo» yarim himoyachisi Hektor Errera pley-off o`yinida hakam tomon tupurgani uchun qizil kartochka olib, maydondan chetlatilgan edi. Bosh menejer Pet Onstadning so`zlariga ko`ra, bu harakat Xyustonning uning jamoa variantini olmasligiga sabab bo`lgan. Bu hodisaning vaqti tufayli u qo`shimcha diskvalifikatsiya olmagan, ammo bu Suaresga ham tegishli bo`lmasligi mumkin.
Shunday qilib, jazolar bo`yicha nimalarga ruxsat berilgan?
Jamoaviy Muzokara Kelishuvi (CBA) nimani nazarda tutadi?
Hodisa Ligalar Kubogida sodir bo`lgan bo`lsa-da, Jamoaviy Muzokara Kelishuviga (CBA) ko`ra, bu holat maydondagi noto`g`ri xatti-harakatlar uchun intizomga tushadi, chunki u «har qanday stadion yoki o`yin maydonchasida sodir bo`lgan va o`yinchi ishtirok etadigan har qanday o`yin yoki turnir paytida, davomida yoki unga aloqador holda sodir bo`lgan noto`g`ri xatti-harakatlarni» qamrab oladi.
Suares Lumen Fildda bo`lganligi sababli, Ligalar Kubogi Intizomiy Qo`mitasi ko`rib chiqqanidan so`ng, MLS intizom choralarini qo`llashi mumkin. Ushbu qo`mita besh a`zodan iborat bo`lishi kerak, ulardan to`rttasi komissar tomonidan tayinlanadi. Ikki a`zo sobiq MLS futbolchilari bo`lishi shart, va qo`mita o`z diskvalifikatsiyasini e`lon qilishi mumkin. Agar u ikki o`yindan ortiq bo`lsa, MLS Futbolchilar Assotsiatsiyasi komissarga yozma ravishda shikoyat qilish huquqiga ega bo`ladi, shundan so`ng apellyatsiya uchun vaqt va joy belgilanadi.
Liga qancha o`yin diskvalifikatsiya berishi mumkinligi noaniq, ammo vaziyatning jiddiyligini hisobga olsak, Suares Mayamining MLS muntazam mavsumidagi qolgan 10 o`yinining birortasida ham ishtirok etmasa, bu ajablanarli bo`lmaydi. «Herons» 13 sentyabrgacha o`ynamaydigan bo`lsa, bu masalani hal qilish uchun vaqt bor, va liga potentsial diskvalifikatsiyaning barcha oqibatlarini ko`rib chiqish uchun kerakli vaqtni olishi mumkin.
