Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez suspended for decisive MLS playoff match against Nashville

FORT LAUDERDALE Fla AP Lionel Messi won t have longtime teammate Luis Su rez alongside him for a match that could end Inter Miami s season on Saturday Su rez has been suspended for Saturday s series-deciding playoff meeting against Nashville SC Major League Soccer reported Wednesday for his actions in Battle of the series specifically kicking Nashville s Andy N jar this past weekend Su rez was also fined an undisclosed amount MLS declared Inter Miami must win on Saturday in Battle of the series with Nashville or its season will end MLS disciplinary committee disclosed Su rez s violent conduct in the st minute of the match on Nov merited the suspension even though no foul was called against him on the play By MLS rules the committee can unanimously agree to issue a suspension even if no foul was called in real time Su rez reached out with his right leg and struck N jar with neither one anywhere near the ball MLS suspended Su rez 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 Aug Leagues Cup also suspended Su rez for six future matches in its tournament MLS took action even though the acts that marred the finish of that match were not in a league match Su rez has served suspensions on three other occasions during his career for biting opponents Additionally MLS stated Wednesday that Inter Miami defender Ian Fray has been fined for violating the league s initiative regarding simulation embellishment during the Nashville match last weekend The amount of the fine was not disclosed Inter Miami won Event of the series then dropped Encounter at Nashville Inter Miami failed to get out of the first round last season dropping a Battle at home to Atlanta Messi played with Su rez whose status for and beyond isn t certain as well as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba for years with Barcelona Su rez followed Busquets and Alba to Inter Miami after Messi stunned countless in the soccer world by choosing to sign with Inter Miami midway through Messi has extended his contract through Busquets and Alba are retiring when this Inter Miami season ends