LOS ANGELES: Luis Suarez appeared to spit at a staff member of the opposing team during an ugly brawl following Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final on Sunday.

Immediately after the final whistle at Lumen Field, veteran Uruguay striker Suarez rushed at 20-year-old Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas and put him in a headlock, sparking a melee involving multiple players and staff from both sides.

Officials scrambled to restore order, but cameras caught Suarez appearing to spit at a Seattle coach as he walked away from Vargas.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said afterwards he was too far away to comment on any specific incidents.

“Nobody likes these kinds of actions at the end of a match, but if there’s a reaction, maybe there was provocation,” he said.

Certainly, there were multiple scuffles before the trophy ceremony finally got underway, with both teams still in attendance.

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer took the high road, preferring to focus on the strong collective effort from his team in a victory over a Miami side led by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

“Unfortunately, that is going to take some of the attention away from a great performance by the Seattle Sounders,” Schmetzer said of the brawl.

“I guess we can take that as a compliment that Miami’s frustrations led to some things happening on the field that shouldn’t happen on the field.

“I’m going to shut that down because that shouldn’t be the story,” said Schmetzer, who added he had a “quiet moment” with Messi on the field after the game.

But Suarez will be under scrutiny for his role.

The 38-year-old’s reputation as one of the game’s arch villains was cemented when he bit Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.

He has also been sanctioned for biting incidents and racist abuse of an opposing player in club play.

The full fixture list for the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League was published on Saturday.

Under the new format all 36 teams are in one league table. The league phase will stretch into January, with all 18 games on the final matchday being played at the same time.

Rather than placing teams into groups, the draw created eight fixtures for each club. There are two matches, one at home and one away, against teams from each of the four pots which are ordered by strength.

– Ogden: Good games for Arsenal, bad for PSG

Champions League fixture list 2025-26

All matches kick off at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. UK unless marked with a * (12.45 p.m. ET / 5.45 p.m. UK) or ** (10.30 a.m. ET / 3.30 p.m. UK)

Tuesday, Sept. 16
PSV Eindhoven vs. Union St.-Gilloise *
Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund *
Real Madrid vs. Marseille
Benfica vs. FK Qarabag
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Villarreal

Wednesday, Sept. 17
Olympiacos vs. Pafos *
Slavia Prague vs. Bodo/Glimt *
Ajax vs. Internazionale
Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea
Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atalanta

Thursday, Sept. 18
Athletic Club vs. Arsenal *
Club Brugge vs. AS Monaco *
F.C. København vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray
Manchester City vs. Napoli
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona
Sporting CP vs. Kairat Almaty

Tuesday, Sept. 30
Atalanta vs. Club Brugge *
Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid *
Atlético Madrid vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Chelsea vs. Benfica
Internazionale vs. Slavia Prague
Bodo/Glimt vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
Marseille vs. Ajax
Pafos vs. Bayern Munich

Wednesday, Oct. 1
FK Qarabag vs. F.C. København *
Union St.-Gilloise vs. Newcastle United *
Arsenal vs. Olympiacos
AS Monaco vs. Manchester City
Bayer Leverkusen vs. PSV Eindhoven
Borussia Dortmund vs. Athletic Club
Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Napoli vs. Sporting CP
Villarreal vs. Juventus

Tuesday, Oct. 21
Barcelona vs. Olympiacos *
Kairat Almaty vs. Pafos *
Arsenal vs. Atlético Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Paris Saint-Germain
F.C. København vs. Borussia Dortmund
Newcastle United vs. Benfica
PSV Eindhoven vs. Napoli
Union St.-Gilloise vs. Internazionale
Villarreal vs. Manchester City

Wednesday, Oct. 22
Athletic Club vs. FK Qarabag *
Galatasaray vs. Bodo/Glimt *
AS Monaco vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Atalanta vs. Slavia Prague
Chelsea vs. Ajax
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool
Bayern Munich vs. Club Brugge
Real Madrid vs. Juventus
Sporting CP vs. Marseille

Tuesday, Nov. 4
Slavia Prague vs. Arsenal *
Napoli vs. Eintracht Frankfurt *
Atlético Madrid vs. Union St.-Gilloise
Bodo/Glimt vs. AS Monaco
Juventus vs. Sporting CP
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
Olympiacos vs. PSV Eindhoven
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich
Tottenham Hotspur vs. F.C. København

Wednesday, Nov. 5
Pafos vs. Villarreal *
FK Qarabag vs. Chelsea *
Ajax vs. Galatasaray
Club Brugge vs. Barcelona
Internazionale vs. Kairat Almaty
Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund
Newcastle United vs. Athletic Club
Marseille vs. Atalanta
Benfica vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Tuesday, Nov. 25
Ajax vs. Benfica *
Galatasaray vs. Union St.-Gilloise *
Borussia Dortmund vs. Villarreal
Chelsea vs. Barcelona
Bodo/Glimt vs. Juventus
Manchester City vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Marseille vs. Newcastle United
Slavia Prague vs. Athletic Club
Napoli vs. FK Qarabag

Wednesday, Nov. 26
F.C. København vs. Kairat Almaty *
Pafos vs. AS Monaco *
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
Atlético Madrid vs. Internazionale
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Atalanta
Liverpool vs. PSV Eindhoven
Olympiacos vs. Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Sporting CP vs. Club Brugge

Tuesday, Dec. 9
Kairat Almaty vs. Olympiacos **
Bayern Munich vs. Sporting CP *
AS Monaco vs. Galatasaray
Atalanta vs. Chelsea
Barcelona vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Internazionale vs. Liverpool
PSV Eindhoven vs. Atlético Madrid
Union St.-Gilloise vs. Marseille
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Slavia Prague

Wednesday, Dec. 10
FK Qarabag vs. Ajax *
Villarreal vs. F.C. København *
Athletic Club vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Newcastle United
Borussia Dortmund vs. Bodo/Glimt
Club Brugge vs. Arsenal
Juventus vs. Pafos
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Benfica vs. Napoli

Tuesday, Jan. 20
Kairat Almaty vs. Club Brugge **
Bodo/Glimt vs. Manchester City *
F.C. København vs. Napoli
Internazionale vs. Arsenal
Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Real Madrid vs. AS Monaco
Sporting CP vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Borussia Dortmund
Villarreal vs. Ajax

Wednesday, Jan. 21
Galatasaray vs. Atlético Madrid *
FK Qarabag vs. Eintracht Frankfurt *
Atalanta vs. Athletic Club
Chelsea vs. Pafos
Bayern Munich vs. Union St.-Gilloise
Juventus vs. Benfica
Newcastle United vs. PSV Eindhoven
Marseille vs. Liverpool
Slavia Prague vs. Barcelona

Wednesday, Jan. 28
Ajax vs. Olympiacos
Arsenal vs. Kairat Almaty
AS Monaco vs. Juventus
Athletic Club vs. Sporting CP
Atlético Madrid vs. Bodo/Glimt
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Villarreal
Borussia Dortmund vs. Internazionale
Club Brugge vs. Marseille
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Barcelona vs. F.C. København
Liverpool vs. FK Qarabag
Manchester City vs. Galatasaray
Pafos vs. Slavia Prague
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Newcastle United
PSV Eindhoven vs. Bayern Munich
Union St.-Gilloise vs. Atalanta
Benfica vs. Real Madrid
Napoli vs. Chelsea

Liverpool reportedly had a £130 million offer for Alexander Isak accepted late on Sunday, while Tottenham Hotspur could make a late move for Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman after Bayern Munich had an offer rebuffed. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe ahead of the window closing on Monday.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Sources: Fulham agree fee for Kevin; eye Milan’s Chukwueze
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– Source: Hincapié London-bound for Arsenal move

TRENDING RUMORS

– Alexander Isak’s long-anticipated move to Liverpool looks set to be completed, according to Fabrizio Romano. Newcastle United reportedly accepted a £130m bid for the wantaway striker late on Sunday after the Magpies’ Saudi owners gave the club the green light to make the move. Brentford striker Yoane Wissa and Wolverhampton Wanderers target man Jorgen Strand Larsen are both being considered as replacements — that’s according to The Mail.

– Ademola Lookman has been trying to find a route out of Atalanta for much of the summer, and Sport Mediaset reports that Bayern Munich have seen an attempt to sign the 27-year-old on a straight loan rejected. Bayern are having to look at other options after their move for Chelsea‘s Nicolas Jackson collapsed due to an injury to Liam Delap. Atalanta are only interested in a full transfer, or a loan with the obligation to make the move permanent. Internazionale have already seen a €45 million bid rebuffed after Lookman seemed certain to be headed to San Siro. Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur are now being linked with late moves before Monday’s deadline.

– Newcastle are discussing a move for Roma striker Artem Dovbyk, reports The Sun. Negotiations are ongoing regarding an initial loan move for the 28-year-old that would include an option to be made permanent for a fee in the region of £30 million. After completing the blockbuster signing of Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, Ukraine international Dovbyk would be the Magpies’ second forward signing of the summer, which would open the door to Alexander Isak potentially completing his switch to Liverpool.

– Fenerbahce have joined the race to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, reports Fabrizio Romano. They are set to challenge rivals Galatasaray for the 32-year-old, after City turned down a €10m offer from the Turkish giants. The Premier League club are willing to call time on Ederson’s eight-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, with Paris Saint-Germain and Italy international shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma lined up as a replacement. According to Nicolo Schira, Donnarumma has agreed to terms on a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030.

– A move for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is being considered by AC Milan, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. The Rossoneri are reported to be keen to reinforce manager Massimiliano Allegri’s defense before the transfer window closes, but after stalling in their pursuit of Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji, they are now exploring alternatives, with Gomez, 28, one of the names on their radar. However, The Mirror reports that the Reds would have no interest in parting ways with Gomez — who is also wanted by Crystal Palace as a potential replacement for Marc Guéhi — with manager Arne Slot determined to keep hold of him due to his versatility.

– Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has been added to the shortlist of Serie A side Juventus, says Gazzetta dello Sport. The 27-year-old has been identified as an alternative to Atlético Madrid‘s Nahuel Molina, and they are set to make an approach to sign him from Old Trafford on loan. Mazraoui made his first appearance of the season on Saturday when coming on as a substitute during United’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Burnley.

EXPERT TAKE

play

Are Chelsea right to cancel Jackson’s Bayern loan after Delap injury?

The ESPN FC crew debate if Chelsea are right to cancel Nicolas Jackson’s potential loan to Bayern Munich.

OTHER RUMORS

– Juventus and clubs in the Premier League are keeping tabs on the situation of RB Leipzig striker Loïs Openda. The Bianconeri are “seriously interested” in landing the 25-year-old ahead of the transfer window deadline. (Philipp Hinze)

– Nottingham Forest have made an offer to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-In. The proposal is believed to be worth an initial €30m that could become €60m if conditions are met. (L’Equipe)

– Multiple clubs are interested in Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong. Bayern, Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth are all said to be looking at the 19-year-old, with the Bundesliga champions considering a late approach on loan with an obligation to become permanent. (The Guardian)

– Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira is on the radar of West Ham United, but they could face competition from Stuttgart. (Florian Plettenberg)

– Iceland international and Gent striker Andri Gudjohnsen is set to join Blackburn Rovers after a £2m deal was agreed. He is the son of former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen. (Mike McGrath)

– RB Leipzig still want to sign Liverpool attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott, but there is concern they might not be able to meet his valuation. (Philipp Hinze)

– Fiorentina are lining up a free transfer for former Manchester United defender Victor Lindelöf. (Corriere dello Sport)

– Negotiations are ongoing between AC Milan and Marseille regarding a deal for midfielder Adrien Rabiot. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

– A medical has been scheduled on Sunday as Brighton & Hove Albion fullback Tariq Lamptey is set to join Fiorentina. (Nicolo Schira)

– RB Leipzig don’t want to part ways with attacking midfielder Christoph Baumgartner despite interest from Crystal Palace and Villarreal. (Philipp Hinze)

– West Ham fullback Emerson Palmieri is set to complete a switch to Marseille. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Al Ittihad are keen on FC Porto attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora. (L’Equipe)

– Switzerland international and Al Rayyan forward Breel Embolo is on Roma’s shortlist. An offer worth €20m would be enough to sign him. (Corriere dello Sport)

– Pisa are closing in on a move to sign free agent defender Raul Albiol. (Nicolo Schira)

– A deal has been agreed on by AC Milan and Bournemouth for fullback Álex Jiménez. He will join the Cherries on loan with an optional clause to make the move permanent. (Fabrizio Romano)