Football

Home page

Football

Uruguay Suarez denies deliberately biting Italy defender

28 June 2014 19:24 (UTC +04:00)

Suarez said in a statement to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee probing his bite on the Italian defender that he lost his balance and fell on Chiellini.

The incident took place on June 24 after the 27-year-old player sank his teeth into Chiellini’s shoulder during his side’s Group D victory.

Suarez was then banned for nine matches and from all football-related activities for four months. He was also fined 100,000 Swiss francs (USD 112,000).

“After the impact ... I lost my balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent,” the 27-year-old player said in a statement, which was obtained by the Associated Press.

“At that moment I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth,” the statement added.

The Disciplinary Committee, however, dismissed the explanation and said the incident was “deliberate, intentional and without provocation.”

The Liverpool striker returned to Uruguay after his FIFA accreditation was withdrawn and prohibited from remaining in Brazil.

Meanwhile, the Uruguay Football Association has given FIFA notice of their intention to appeal the ban.

FIFA head of media Delia Fischer said at a press conference on Saturday that the Uruguay federation informed FIFA of their plan to appeal.

“The reasons for the appeal must now be given in writing within a deadline of seven days after the three days has expired,” Fischer added.

Suarez was also suspended for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal in 2010 and 10 matches for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last year.

Uruguay advanced to the World Cup last 16 from Group D with six points. It will face Colombia in Rio de Janeiro later on Saturday.