Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has stated that FIFA should consider banning Luis Suarez from the game. The Uruguay striker bit Chiellini in the shoulders during a match between Uruguay and Italy in the group stages of the World Cup. Uruguay won the match 1-0 and progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup. The victory, however, was marred by footage showing Suarez biting into the shoulders of Chiellini. Even though the 28-year-old complained to the referee almost immediately, the 27-year-old was not punished.
However, it is believed that FIFA will be opening investigations into the matter, as it is the third time that the player has been found biting into a document. He has been punished in the previous two occasions serving a suspension for 17 matches in total. The last high-profile incident involving Suarez came in 2013 when he bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in the arm. Several sports psychologist have stated that Suarez is unlikely to become a changed man as a result of a ban. FIFA regulations stated that they can ban a footballer for up to 2 years or 24 matches.
Several Italy players protested against the incident and water to the player to be sent off, but Uruguayan players did not show the same feelings. The manager, Oscar Tabarez, was also astounded as to how Suarez has been treated by the British media. “Suarez has bitten me and the referee saw it, but then there is the need to have the courage to take decisions. We will see if there is the courage to utilise the TV images to ban him. It’s a shame. Today’s game has been decided by the referee. We take our responsibilities, but the referee has been bad,” said Chiellini.
The result, though, saw Italy knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages for the second consecutive time.