Controversial footballer, Luis Suarez, in an ode to misconduct on the field, bit the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during the 2- 2 draw at Anfield.
Suarez is not new to wanting his literal pound of flesh. He once served a seven- game suspension for a bite during a Dutch League match in 2010. In Sunday’s incident, Suarez was foiled by Ivanovic as he attempted to kick the ball between the center- back’s legs in the penalty area. As the ball rebounded towards the edge of the area, Suarez turned to his opponent, and television images clearly showed him to have bitten into Ivanovic’s jersey at the top of the right arm.
Ivanovic shrugged off Suarez and immediately complained to the referee Kevin Friend, who didn’t see the incident and didn’t speak to Suarez.
Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness labeled Luis Suarez’s apparent bite on Branislav Ivanovic as ‘embarrassing’ and believes the Uruguayan is now in the ‘last chance saloon’ as a Reds player.
In as much as he went on to score a late leveler to ensure the Merseyside club escaped with 2- 2 draw against the Champions League chasers at Anfield, the biting incident didn’t go down well with all that saw the uncanny image.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insisted he would have to review the incident before commenting but added that no individual was bigger than the club. He said: “I will go away and review it and then comment later, I’ll make an honest appraisal on it and comment afterwards. It’s not for me to make any rash comment or predictions now.
“I’ll always defend people if I think they’re right- if I think they’re wrong I’ll tell them, and that’s already happened with Luis this year. And then we move on from it. If that’s what the case is, they’ve got to accept the consequences accordingly,” he added
“People have to accept it when they do wrong if that’s what the case is. They have to accept the consequences accordingly. It’s disappointing that we are not talking about the football,” said Rodgers.
Professional Footballers’ Association chairman Gordon Taylor was critical of Suarez who was recently shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year Awards saying:
“It is very depressing and embarrassing that it should happen. If it wasn’t for all the controversies he’s been involved in he would be a more highly regarded player. Players are role models and are highly rewarded. This sets such a bad example.”
In November 2010, Suarez was banned for seven matches for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal while playing in the Dutch League, earning him nickname ‘Cannibal of Ajax.’
Suarez was suspended for eight games in December 2011 for making racist insults to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League match.
And in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal, Suarez’s handling of a goal bound Dominic Adiyiah ball, earned him a red card against Ghana.
On Sunday the Liverpool forward gave away a penalty kick with a needless handball, and Eden Hazard converted to put Chelsea ahead 2- 1 in the 57th minute. The controversial incident then came within the next ten minute.
Earlier this season, Suarez appeared to handle the winning goal in the FA Cup against minnows Mansfield Town.
He had also admitted to diving against Stoke City.
The list could go on and on, but on a more positive side his work ethic is quite impressive. Judging from the goal- scoring perspective, he leads the Premier League with 23 goals and has 30 overall this season.
“I think it would be an injustice to Luis Suarez to talk about (the incident.) He has been the best player in the league this season,” Liverpool captain Steven Gerard said. “I think he is the third- best player in the world behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Gerard pointed.
Meanwhile the culprit immediately took to twitter to apologise for his ‘inexcusable behaviour’ towards Branislav Ivanovic (@luis16suarez); “I’m sad for what happened this afternoon, I apologise Ivanovic and all football world for my inexcusable behavior. I’m sorry about it!!”
