Inter Miami and Luis Suarez have separately issued statements about the postgame fight on Sunday. Neither statement is particularly forceful and seem mostly designed to avoid serious punishment, but Suarez at least issues an apology, even if it avoids shouldering the blame for an entire situation he mostly seems to have started and perpetuated.
Luis Suarez has issued this apology on instagram. Here’s the translation:
— Jeremiah Oshan (@jeremiah.sounderatheart.com) 2025-09-04T23:26:26.038Z
Suarez does use the word “apologize” but also shifts blame by noting it was in a “moment of a lot of tension and frustration” and seems to suggest that “things happened that shouldn’t have” which preceded his reaction.
Inter Miami’s statement, however, can not in any way be seen as an apology or even an acknowledgement of wrong doing. In fact, it seems to suggest they are appealing or planning to appeal any punishments.
Inter Miami condemns the altercations that took place following the conclusion of the Leagues Cup Final. These actions do not reflect the values of our sport, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the pitch.
We are working closely with Leagues Cup and MLS officials to ensure the situation is addressed appropriately.
We thank our fans and community for their continued support.
Combined, the two statements seem to be setting up a defense in which Suarez and Miami will claim the Sounders provoked them. While I have no doubt that there was plenty of back-and-forth banter, there is more than ample video evidence that shows Suarez putting Obed Vargas in a headlock and later spitting on Sounders head of security Gene Ramirez, as well as Sergio Busquets punching Vargas, all of which happened without any physical provocation.
Jeremiah Oshan
Even the other incidents in which Sounders players grabbed and pulled Miami players, the video clearly shows them only doing so as a response to physical acts by Miami. It’s entirely possible that some Sounders will end up being disciplined, but it would defy all evidence for anyone to find that they instigated anything.
While it took four days just to get these milquetoast statements, their release does suggest the wheels are at least moving. The only question now is whether suspensions will be limited to Leagues Cup play or if MLS Commissioner Don Garber will use his CBA-granted authority to bring those penalties into league play.
There is likely little rush to get this all finalized, though, as neither the Sounders nor Inter Miami play until Sept. 13. The two teams are scheduled to face off, though, on Sept. 16 in Miami.
