Is 'spitting' a new norm in sports for venting out anger? NFL must learn from MLS after Luiz Suarez handed three-match ban

Spitting has become an ugly talking point in sports, raising questions about whether it’s turning into a new form of venting frustration. Inter Miami forward Luiz Suarez's three-match ban in MLS has reignited the debate, serving as a reminder that such behavior cannot be tolerated. The NFL, which has seen two incidents in the past week, should take a cue from MLS’s firm stand and make sure stricter measures are put into place to protect the game’s image and sportsmanship.


There were three 'spitting incidents' in the week gone by, starting with Leagues Cup final followed by NFL and College Football, which dented the image of sportsmanship in general. All the incidents were strongly condemned by the parties close to the offenders, calling it 'unacceptable'. But the onus lies on authorities who need to come up with harsher punishments, including bans along with fines, which is not the case in NFL, to stem the rot.


Suarez spit on the Seattle Sounders’ staff member after Inter Miami’s 0-3 loss in the Leagues Cup final on September 1 (Sunday). Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter ejected just six seconds into the game for spitting at Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the first NFL game of the season Thursday night. Florida's Brendan Bett spit at South Florida's Cole Skinner in College football Saturday night, which led to his ejection and a 15-yard penalty for the rivals. And that penalty eventually helped South Florida get a field goal to win 18-16 on the final play of the game.


Florida coach Billy Napier called Bett's action 'unacceptable' after the game while Bett posted a public apology a few days later on Instagram and told Cole Skinner that 'there is no excuse for my actions'. Bett will certainly face some disciplinary action, but whether he will be suspended for this week's game at No. 3 LSU remains to be seen.


MLS on Monday night handed Suarez an additional three-match suspension, after Leagues Cup already banned him for six matches in future editions of the tournament, for spitting on a member of the Seattle Sounders staff. The Inter Miami forward will now miss the upcoming MLS matches against Charlotte FC, Seattle Sounders and DC United.

"It was a mistake that happened on my side," Carter said. "Just won’t happen again." However, replays later revealed that Prescott had spit first, though it was aimed generally toward the Eagles’ defense and not at any specific player. In retaliation, Carter responded by spitting directly on Prescott.

"I guess I needed to spit," Prescott said. "I wasn’t going to spit on my linemen. I just spit ahead. I don’t wish for anybody to get out of the game. I’m sure he probably regrets that to some extent. I’m pretty sure he knows I didn’t try to spit on him or wasn’t even aiming to spit on him."