/ 22 April 2013

Liverpool’s Suárez bites the dust, again

Liverpool's Suárez Bites The Dust, Again

After the forward sunk his teeth into the biceps of Ivanovi? during Liverpool's 2-2 Premier League draw with Chelsea on Sunday, here's a look-back at the controvesial events that made history by Suárez:

  • February 2007: Suárez makes his international debut for Uruguay against Colombia but is sent off in the final minutes after being shown a second yellow card for dissent.
  • July 2010: During the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, Suárez prevents Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah from scoring in the final minute with a deliberate handball on the line and is subsequently sent off. A penalty was awarded but missed by Asamoah Gyan and footage showed Suárez celebrating on the sidelines. Uruguay eventually went through to the last four on penalties.
  • November 2010: Suárez, then playing for Dutch team Ajax, earns a seven-match ban and is fined by his club for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal.
  • October 2011: Suárez racially abuses Manchester United's Patrice Evra during a Premier League match at Anfield and is banned for eight matches and fined £40 000.
  • December 2011: After making an offensive gesture towards Fulham fans, he is given a one-match ban.
  • February 2012: Suárez refuses to shake Evra's hand before kick-off as United and Liverpool meet again at Old Trafford.
  • January 2013: Suárez handles the ball prior to scoring Liverpool's winner in the FA Cup third round tie at Mansfield.
  • April 2013: He bites Ivanovi? on the right arm during his side's 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Anfield.

'The club has fined me'
"I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behaviour earlier today during our match against Chelsea," Suárez said.

"I have issued an apology and have tried to contact Branislav to speak to him personally. I apologise also to my manager, playing colleagues and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for letting them down."

Later, he tweeted that he had been in touch with the Chelsea player. "I've just spoken to Ivanovi? on the phone and I could apologise directly to him," he said. "Thanks for accepting."

Suárez was fined and will donate the money to the Hillsborough Family Support Group following the shocking bite on the Chelsea defender.

"For my unacceptable behaviour yesterday the club has fined me today," Suarez wrote on Twitter on Monday.

"I have asked the club to donate the money to the Hillsborough Family Support Group for the inconvenience I have created to the Liverpool fans and to Ivanovi?."

As referee Kevin Friend missed the incident, Suárez is likely to be punished with a retrospective Football Association suspension, but some pundits, including former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness, believe it could be time for the club to cut ties with Suárez as he is damaging their reputation. – AFP