Luis Suárez banned for Miami’s playoff decider

Inter Miami’s crucial MLS playoff showdown with Nashville will go ahead this weekend without one of their biggest stars, as Luis Suárez has been handed a suspension following his conduct in the previous match.

The Uruguay forward, a driving force in Miami’s attack this season with 17 goals across all competitions, will now miss Saturday’s must-win game at Chase Stadium. His absence follows a disciplinary review into an off-the-ball incident during the team’s last outing.

Heated moment

During the second leg of the playoff series, with Miami trailing 2–0, Suárez appeared to kick out at Nashville defender Andy Najar while making a run toward the back post. Referee intervention led to a foul call but no further action after a VAR check.

The match ended 2–1 after a late Lionel Messi goal, setting up a decisive third fixture in the best-of-three series. However, Suárez will play no part after the MLS Disciplinary Committee imposed a ban for violent conduct.

Also read: Galatasaray eye sensational January move for Lionel Messi

Long record of bans

The committee’s ruling falls under league rules allowing post-match sanctions when referees observe an incident but fail to issue a card. For Suárez, it marks the 35th suspension of a career defined by brilliance and controversy in equal measure.

The 38-year-old has faced repeated disciplinary issues across his stints with clubs including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid.

Of his total suspensions, 18 came from accumulated yellow cards, two from straight reds, and 12 from disciplinary hearings.

Familiar controversy

Earlier this season, Suárez served a three-match suspension after spitting toward a Seattle Sounders staff member, a moment that also earned him a future six-game MLS Leagues Cup ban.

Also read: Memphis Depay Told to Leave $46K Hotel Suite as Corinthians Cut Costs

His history includes some of football’s most notorious incidents, from the eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in 2011, a charge he denied, to biting opponents Branislav Ivanović and Giorgio Chiellini in separate episodes for club and country.

Miami’s challenge

Suárez’s absence leaves Inter Miami without their leading scorer and most experienced forward as they attempt to advance in the MLS playoffs. The team will rely heavily on Lionel Messi’s creativity to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Sources: ESPN, BBC Sport, MLS.com

Also read: UEFA in big legal issues regarding Champions League format

Also read: Dembélé sidelined with calf injury