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Luis Suarez has admitted that Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini was bitten during the Italy/Uruguay game in World Cup Group D. The Liverpool striker released a statement via his Twitter account where he apologized for his actions.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Striker Earlier Said He ‘Collided’ With Chiellini
Suarez said in the statement: “My colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the phystical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me.” Earlier the player had told the media that he collided with the Italian player and his teeth just came into contact with his shoulder. That now appears to have been a lie. The Uruguay striker issued a “vow to the public that there will never be another incident” like this involving him again.
2. Liverpool Didn’t Know He Was Making an Apology
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According to The Independent, Liverpool were unaware that Suarez was making an apology today. Former Barcelona player Gary Lineker said on Twitter:
Suarez has finally apologised for biting saying it will never happen again. I hear that Barca insisted on apology if transfer is to proceed.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 30, 2014
3. Chiellini Appears to Have Accepted the Apology
In a tweet, Giorgio Chiellini said, “It’s all forgotten. I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension.” The defender retweeted Suarez’s statement in English and in Spanish.
4. He Won’t Play Again Till November
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Suarez is now serving a massive four-month ban from all soccer activities as a result of the biting incident. The striker will be unable to play for Liverpool until late October, nearly three months into the EPL season.
5. This Was the Third Biting Incident Involving Suarez
This was the third biting incident involving Suarez. In 2010, when he was playing in Holland for Ajax, he was found guilty of biting PSV’s Otman Bakkal. Then in 2012, this time while he was playing for Liverpool, he bit Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. Suarez had just finished serving the ban for that attack at the beginning of last season.