The Liverpool striker banned for ten games after a shocking incident in which the Prime Minister intervened
Today marks nine years since Luis Suarez made international headlines for all the wrong reasons following a Liverpool Premier League match.
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Today marks nine years since Luis Suarez bit Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic and was banned for ten games. In the 69th minute, Liverpool won a corner, and Suarez tangled with Ivanovic before sinking his teeth into the defender's right arm on a chaotic day for the Uruguayan.
Although referee Kevin Friend did not witness the incident, the FA investigated and banned the forward for ten games. This was a new blemish on Suarez's already tarnished reputation, and it came on the heels of a string of blunders that followed a similar ban of seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal’s shoulder while playing for Ajax in 2010. The striker was widely condemned and apologised for throughout the football world.
In an initial statement, he said, "I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behavior earlier today during our match against Chelsea." I apologize to my manager, teammates, and everyone at Liverpool for disappointing them.
Later that evening, after speaking with Ivanovic, he tweeted another apology. "I am sorry for what happened this afternoon, and I apologize to Ivanovic and the entire football world for my inexcusable behavior," he said. I sincerely apologize."(
Liverpool and Chelsea played to a 2-2 tie at Anfield. Suarez's frustrations got the best of him after he gave away a penalty that Eden Hazard converted to put the visitors up 2-1. In the 97th minute, he headed in an equalizer to keep the drama going.
Oscar put Chelsea ahead in the first half, but Daniel Sturridge equalized for the Reds before the game's thrilling conclusion. Suarez was given a 10-game suspension by the NFL three days later.
Following the game, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was harshly critical of Suarez. "After reviewing the video footage and speaking with Luis, his behavior is unacceptable, and I have made him aware of this," he said. This is a club with incredible values and ethics—no one is bigger than this club. As football managers, staff, and players, we are representing this club both on and off the field. "
During the brawl, Ivanovic and Suarez fought, with the latter sinking his teeth into the Chelsea defender's right arm. Friend missed the incident but later spoke with both parties, and Ivanovic showed the referee the bite marks on his arm. Then, Suarez defended himself to Friend by pointing accusingly at the Serbian, who was remarkably calm after what had happened, and walked back to his position. Petr Cech recounted how Ivanovic didn't immediately mention what had happened after the match.
Mark Lawrenson, a BBC football analyst and Liverpool legend, was harsh in his assessment of Suarez. "What Luis Suarez did has no place in football, and he is going to get and deserves an extremely long ban," he said. You are not permitted to bite people anywhere. Biting people is not permitted anywhere, let alone on a football field. It's something you do when you're a baby. He's a world-class player, but he's also a world-class troublemaker. "
Gordon Taylor, the PFA's Chief Executive at the time, added, "It was unacceptable." Suarez's reputation for controversy grows despite the fact that he is a great player, one of the best in the world, creating a real quandary. It's uncalled for, it's depressing, and it's such a shame for a player who is a really good footballer, but such things have happened before. "
Liverpool were "shocked and disappointed" by the length of the suspension when it was announced. Perhaps, however, wary of the optics, Suarez decided not to appeal the ban. Rodgers and then-Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre both supported the Uruguayan. Prime Minister David Cameron weighed in, saying the bite "sets the most appalling example for young people in our country."
Suarez claimed his suspension should have been three games, but instead he missed the final four games of the 2012/13 season and the first six games of the 2013/14 season. Suarez's biting ban was the latest in a string of controversies that have plagued him since joining Liverpool in 2011. For racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, he received an eight-game suspension and a £40,000 fine. Suarez's future, according to Lawrenson, was in jeopardy at the time.
He is now becoming a consistent offender—there is probably a sheet of A4 paper with all his offences over his career. He needs to learn quickly – it is distracting for everyone. Even if the ban is reduced to eight games, that is 20% of the season. Liverpool are going to have to make a decision on his future.
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