Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano expressed his bewilderment on Friday regarding the decision to suspend Luis Suárez for their final match in the Round 1 of the MLS playoff best-of-three series against Nashville, calling it “very strange.”
Suárez received a one-game ban for kicking Nashville’s Andy Nájar during the second half of their match on November 1 at Geodis Park, where Inter Miami lost 2-1. Interestingly, the referee did not issue any card at the time of the incident.
On Friday, MLS confirmed that Nashville had submitted the foul for review. Each MLS team is permitted one unsuccessful challenge during the postseason, and Nashville retains the right to challenge because their initial submission was accepted.
Mascherano stated that while the club respects the disciplinary committee’s ruling, they do not agree with it.
“In my personal view, it seemed very strange, particularly since the incident was reviewed by VAR in real-time and did not warrant any sanction from either the referee or the VAR official,” Mascherano noted.
“Regardless, we accept the MLS rules. We disagree, but we respect the decision. We hope the regulations apply consistently across the board.”
The coach later revealed that Suárez’s appeal against the ban was denied.
“I received a call on Monday night from the club informing me about the sanction and that they would clarify the penalty soon after. It was quite swift, within a day or two, which shows how quickly things move here in the United States,” he explained.
“Yes, there was an appeal. The player appealed because we were informed that the club couldn’t lodge an appeal. So, the player used the club’s resources for the appeal, but it was swiftly denied.”
“[Suárez] is very surprised. It’s quite unexpected because such incidents occur during a game. If we were to focus on every situation like this, there would be many to discuss, but it is what it is.”
Now, the team is preparing to host Nashville in a critical third game on Saturday at Chase Stadium, missing Suárez, whom Mascherano described as “key” to the roster.
The outcome of Saturday’s match will determine which team advances to the Eastern Conference semifinal.
If victorious, Inter Miami could achieve a historic feat by advancing past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since joining MLS as an expansion franchise in 2020.
“Certainly, he is a crucial player for our team, a key figure. However, it won’t help to dwell on our reactions or what might happen,” Mascherano said.
“What we can control is preparing for the match in the best possible way and aiming for victory to secure our qualification,” Mascherano added.
Inter Miami previously won the first match of the series 3-1, but fell to Nashville 2-1, forcing this deciding third game.