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| credit: Daily Mail |
24.06.14 Four time world champion, Italy are [sic] sent off by Uruguay to join England as spectators; however, the big story is the apparent bite taken by Luis Suarez out of an Italian back just before the winning goal was scored by Uruguay's captain. The referee, either did not see the flagrant foul that took place inside the penalty area or was loath to alter a nil-nil tie in its closing minutes, did not give Suarez a red card or award a penalty kick. He entirely deserved one for his flagrant lack of sportsmanship. This is the third time Suarez stands accused of using his prominent overbite as a weapon on the field. Although an extremely talented player, Suarez is apparently such a hot head he cannot control himself in tight games. The first player to receive the 'mark of Suarez', Otman Bakkal, told interviewers, "I think he wants to win so badly that he loses his mind sometimes but afterwards he comes to his senses." Suarez was given a six day suspension by the Dutch football association for biting PSV Eindhoven's Bakkal. The latest incident underscores the difficulty FIFA, the world football association, has keeping flagrant fouls from overshadowing the game itself which is unfortunate since football (soccer) is the only game besides basketball played worldwide. FIFA prides itself for not adopting instant replay to aid referees. The incident also underlines the absurdity of elevating highly paid sports professionals who are emotionally unstable to untenable social pedestals from which they invariably fall.
Suarez is given a hard time in the English press, partly because of his unacceptable behavior on the field [photo]. He is said to have credited his spectacular single-handed 2-1 elimination of England (1 volley, 1 header) in World Cup group D play as a reposte for their lack of adoration. This third bite on the world stage of soccer will cause FIFA to investigate and probably order another, longer suspension from the game. Suarez served FA's ten-day suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic during a 2-2 tie without appeal. Italy's Girogio Chiellini displayed the clearly visible teeth marks to the referee while complaining against Suarez's misconduct. He was ignored by the game ref, but FIFA rules allow discipline after the fact and the use of video evidence. The maximum suspension allowed is two years, but the longest ever imposed during a World Cup was eight games given to Italy's Mauro Tassotti in 1984 for throwing an elbow that broke an opponent's nose. No word on whether the bite marks have been measured or photographed; the bite did not break the skin. The third bite may even seal Suarez's transfer from Liverpool where he is reportedly unhappy back to Barcelona.US Person advises: beware of Uruguay's mad competitor.