Miami coach Mascherano breaks silence after Leagues Cup phone controversy sparks debate

Inter Miami’s dramatic 2–1 win over Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday didn’t just grab headlines for the result. Much of the post-match conversation centered around coach Javier Mascherano, who was ejected at halftime and later spotted using his phone in the stands to communicate with staff.

Mascherano was shown a red card during the interval following a heated exchange with referees about the amount of stoppage time added in the first half. He sit just above the Miami bench in Section 101, keeping himself within shouting distance of his players. Cameras later caught him on the phone during the 57th minute, fueling speculation that he was instructing his staff in real time.

When asked about the incident, Mascherano defended his actions and emphasized that he had done nothing out of line. “The truth is the stands at our stadium are very close to the pitch, so I tried to stay as near as possible to help the team,” he said to the press (via Goal).

“It’s something that has happened many times in football and will continue to happen. I didn’t break any rules – I could’ve been sitting in an owner’s suite instead. The team needed me close. I’ll accept whatever consequences come,” he added.

For its part, the Leagues Cup issued a statement defending Mascherano’s presence and actions. “The Inter Miami coach was in a designated area in accordance with the tournament regulations. Cell phone communications are not prohibited under the Leagues Cup regulations. Please note that actions are reviewed by the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee,” the competition said, as reported by journalist José Armando.

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What comes next for Mascherano and Miami?

For now, Miami faces a busy week ahead, starting with an MLS regular season clash on August 23, 2025, when they travel to Audi Field to take on D.C. United at 6:30 PM EST, followed by a high-stakes Leagues Cup semifinal at home on August 27, where they will host Orlando City SC.