“I received Luis Suárez’ apology for the incident in Liverpool after the police decided not to file charges.”
Following his biting of Branislav Ivanović in Liverpool and Chelsea, Luis Suárez was given a ten-game ban. The FA and media chastised the Uruguayan for his actions.
11 years have passed since Luis Suárez was given a 10-game suspension at Anfield for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanović.
Liverpool and Chelsea played to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield, with the Reds’ No. 7 netting a late equaliser in the 97th minute.
Kevin Friend, the referee, did not see the event, but the FA did, and Suárez was given a lengthy ban as a result of their probe.
This was not Suárez’s first penalty of this kind; in 2010, when at Ajax, he bit Otman Bakkal of PSV Eindhoven, and was banned for seven games.
“I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behaviour earlier today during our match against Chelsea,” Suárez said in his initial declaration of regret.
I’m sorry for disappointing my boss, my teammates, and the entire Liverpool community.”
“I am sad for what happened this afternoon, I apologise to Ivanović and all the football world for my inexcusable behaviour,” Suárez wrote on social media later that evening. I really apologise for that.
Following the game, Liverpool’s manager at the time, Brendan Rodgers, didn’t hold back when he said, “After reviewing the video footage and speaking with Luis, his behaviour is unacceptable and I have made him aware of this.”
There is undoubtedly no club larger than this one; it is a group with amazing principles and ideals.
We are the football club’s representatives on and off the pitch as managers, employees and players.”
“What he did has absolutely no place in football and he is going to get and deserves an extremely length ban,” said Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson to BBC Sport in response to Suárez’s actions.
It is illegal to bite somebody in any place, much less on a football pitch.
It’s the kind of thing you do as a newborn. Although he is an elite player, he causes you elite difficulties.
Gordon Taylor, the former chief executive of the PFA, offered his opinion, saying: “It was unacceptable.”
It’s a genuine conundrum right now since Suárez’s reputation for controversy only grows when he plays like one of the greatest players in the world.
It’s unfortunate for a tremendously talented football player, and it’s uncalled for and upsetting, but similar incidents have occurred before.”
Prime Minister David Cameron also commented on the incident, saying that the biting act’sets the most dreadful example to young people in our country’.
Liverpool conveyed their “shock and disappointment” about the harshness of the suspension. However, Suárez decided not to file an appeal, and Ian Rodgers, the managing director of Liverpool, followed.