Luis Suarez apologizes for biting opponent at World Cup
After a few days of reflection, Luis Suarez acknowledged what millions saw on TV – he did bite an opponent during a game at the World Cup. In addition, he said he’s sorry about it, and promised it will never happen again.
Ending a unified protest in Uruguay by everyone from Suarez to teammates, fans and even the country’s president that the star striker had done nothing wrong, the Liverpool player on Monday offered an apology to Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
“I deeply regret what occurred,” Suarez said in a statement posted on Twitter. “I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. … I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like (this).”
The Uruguay striker was banned for four months from all football by FIFA for biting the shoulder of Chiellini during the team’s 1-0 win over Italy in their group-stage game in Brazil. It is the third time Suarez has been banned for biting an opponent, after similar incidents at both Ajax in the Dutch league and Liverpool in the English Premier League.
Chiellini responded on Twitter shortly after Suarez posted his statement, accepting the apology.
“It’s all forgotten,” the Italian wrote in English. “I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension.”
Suarez had originally denied wrongdoing in a written response to FIFA, and had been staunchly defended by teammates and Uruguayan officials. His apology could be taken into account by FIFA when it considers an appeal of the ban, which the Uruguayan federation has said it will file.
Uruguay president no fan of FIFA
Uruguay’s famously casual President Jose Mujica has tossed some earthy epithets at FIFA over its four-month ban of Suarez.
Mujica referred to FIFA as “a bunch of old sons of whores” as he welcomed Uruguay’s team back from the World Cup on Sunday. He put his hand over his mouth in mock horror at the expletive, but when a journalist for state television station asked, he said, “Publish it.”
He also referred to FIFA’s stiff penalty on Uruguay’s star striker as “fascist,” though he said that Suarez could have been sanctioned with a lesser sentence.
Robben says he’s just being himself
Arjen Robben said sorry for one first-half dive against Mexico. Just don’t expect another apology from the Netherlands forward just for being himself.
Robben said Monday he won’t change his playing style or personality after winning the decisive stoppage-time penalty in the Netherlands’ 2-1 win against Mexico.
Robben provoked a furor after Sunday’s second-round match by telling Dutch broadcaster NOS he had dived in a first-half incident, though not for the penalty when he was challenged by Mexico captain Rafa Marquez.
FIFA declined to take any retrospective action for the dive or comments.