Football star Luis Suarez apologises for spitting at rival team's staff member

Inter Miami's Luis Suarez has apologised for spitting at a member of another team's coaching staff during an on-pitch scuffle.

Inter Miami, who are co-owned by David Beckham, lost 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final on Monday.

After the match ended, players from both sides were involved in a confrontation - which saw Suarez clash with one of the Sounders' coaches while his teammate Sergio Busquets appeared to throw a punch.

In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday night, Suarez congratulated Seattle Sounders for their win before saying he wanted to "apologise for my behaviour when the game ended".

The 38-year-old, writing in Spanish, continued: "It was a moment of much tension and frustration, where just after the game ended, things happened that shouldn't have happened, but that doesn't justify my reaction.

"I made a mistake and sincerely apologise. It's not the image I want to give in front of my family, who suffer because of my mistakes, nor in front of my club, that also doesn't deserve seeing itself affected by something like this.

"I feel bad for what happened, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to recognise and apologise to everyone who felt hurt by what I did."

Inter Miami also released a statement saying it "condemns the altercations that took place" after the match.

"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," it said.

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Suarez has a history of bad behaviour on the pitch, having been suspended three times for biting opponents.

It is unclear what punishment he will receive for the latest incident as the cup has a separate disciplinary committee from the two main leagues its sides come from, the MLS in the States and Mexico's Liga MX.