Luis Suárez received a four-month, nine-match ban for a biting incident during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Photo/Wikimedia Commons
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]uis Suárez can say goodbye to his 2014 World Cup.
FIFA moved quickly to deal with the incident involving him and Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini, after hearing from Suárez and Uruguay in a closed doors meeting, banning the embattled striker for nine international matches, or four months, and fining him a reported $111,000.
Suárez, of course, was involved in a late game incident where he is seen on video biting Chiellini while the two were away from the ball. The incident escaped all three referees view, which surely would have resulted in a red card for Suárez. Uruguay would score just a minute after the incident to send Italy home while moving on to the knockout round themselves.
Suárez has been involved in biting incidents before. In 2010, while playing for Dutch side Ajax, he bit PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal on the shoulder, resulting in a seven match ban, though he would only serve part of that as he would be sold to Liverpool that offseason, where he was involved in another biting incident in 2013. While playing against Chelsea, Suarez latched onto the arm of defender Branislov Ivanovic and bit him while in the penalty box. This incident was also missed by the officials, but the England Football Association came down hard on Suárez, giving him a ten match ban. This resulted in him missing the end of the 2012-2013 season and the first few matches of the 2013-2014 season in the Premier League.
Suárez can appeal the decision, but it doesn’t mean he will be able to play if he does. FIFA rules state that a player under suspension can only play if the appeal results in a full overturn of the decision. This decision is not likely to happen any time soon as Suárez hasn’t even made it clear if he is appealing or not.
Uruguay will play fellow South Americans Colombia on Saturday in the Round of 16.
