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Inter Miami will have to fight for their playoff survival without Luis Suárez after Major League Soccer handed the striker a one-match suspension for violent conduct. The ruling sidelines the Uruguayan for Saturday’s decisive Game 3 against Nashville SC, a fixture that will determine whether Miami’s season continues or ends.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee confirmed the sanction on Wednesday following a review of an off-the-ball incident in the second half of last weekend’s match at Geodis Park. Footage showed Suárez kicking Nashville defender Andy Najar in the 71st minute, though no foul was given at the time.
"The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez for one match and fined Suárez an undisclosed amount under Disciplinary Committee Parameter 3 for violent conduct in the 71st minute of Inter Miami's match against Nashville SC on November 1st. Suárez will serve his one-match suspension on November 8 during Miami's match against Nashville SC," the MLS Disciplinary Committee said in a statement.
Although referee Allen Chapman did not issue a booking during the game, MLS regulations allow the league to impose discipline retroactively if the committee unanimously agrees that violent conduct occurred.
The decision means Suárez will miss a crucial home clash at Chase Stadium, with the series tied 1–1 after Miami won the opening match before losing the return leg 2–1 in Tennessee. The winner of Saturday’s encounter will progress to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they would face either Columbus Crew or FC Cincinnati.
This is the second time this year Suárez has been disciplined by MLS. In August, he served a three-game suspension for spitting at a member of Seattle Sounders’ staff following the Leagues Cup final, an incident that also saw him banned for six future Leagues Cup matches.
Inter Miami issued a brief response on Wednesday evening, signaling acceptance of the ruling but voicing concern about the broader implications for officiating consistency.
"Inter Miami CF accepts and respects the decision made by the MLS Disciplinary Committee," the club said in a statement on Wednesday. "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."
For Suárez, who joined former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba in Miami earlier this year, the suspension adds to a long list of controversial moments in his career. The 37-year-old has previously been banned multiple times for biting opponents, and his disciplinary record has remained under scrutiny in MLS.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @intermiamicf
