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Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker accepts biting ban

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments886

Branislav Ivanovic and Luis Suarez

Liverpool's Luis Suarez says he hopes to be forgiven by those he has upset after accepting a 10-match ban for

"I am truly very sorry. I hope that all the people who I have offended at Anfield last Sunday will grant me forgiveness," the striker tweeted.external-link

Suarez added that, although his ban was greater than those in incidents where players had been badly injured, an appeal may "give the wrong impression".

Suarez's ban begins immediately.

The 26-year-old striker will miss Liverpool's final Premier League games of this season - against Newcastle, Everton, Fulham and QPR - and the first six domestic matches of the 2013-14 campaign.

Suarez had already accepted a three-match suspension for violent conduct, but could have challenged the additional seven-game punishment . Contesting his ban however would have run the risk of Suarez's suspension being increased.

"I know that all the things that are happening to me in England will help me to improve my conduct on the field," added Suarez.

"Right now, I just want to focus on becoming a better footballer on and off the field.

"Many things have been said and written about me, I just tried to do my best on the field. I hope to come back early to play."

Liverpool allowed Suarez to decide whether to appeal, although

Rodgers had cited incidents involving Jermain Defoe, who was booked for biting Javier Mascherano in 2006, and Chester defender Sean Hessey, who was banned for five matches in the same year, in support of Suarez.

Managing director Ian Ayre reiterated Liverpool's disappointment with their striker's punishment "and in particular the differing standards that have been applied across various previous incidents".

Rogers added that Liverpool "had to move on" and that the club looked forward to "welcoming a better person and player when he returns."

Suarez was banned for seven games in November 2010 when playing for Dutch side Ajax for a similar incident in which he bit PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal's shoulder during a match.

Earlier in April, Fifa announced an investigation into an incident in which Suarez appeared to punch Chile defender Gonazalo Jara during an international match on 26 March.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Suarez's previous indiscipline, which also includes an eight-match ban in December 2011 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, has been taken into account by the Football Association's independent panel.

"What has gone completely against Suarez is his history," he said.

"That is very heavy on the offence front and that is why he has been punished so severely. That is the only explanation I can find."

The Uruguay international, who apologised to Ivanovic for his "inexcusable behaviour" in the 2-2 Premier League draw, has been criticised by Prime Minister David Cameron for setting "the most appalling example to young people in our country".

QPR boss Harry Redknapp agreed with Rodgers that Mr Cameron's comments, along with deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's subsequent endorsement of Suarez's 10-match ban,external-link did not help Suarez's case.

"Once politicians have opinions, you could see he was going to be hammered," said Redknapp.

Suarez's suspension, along with a shoulder injury to Italian Fabio Borini, increases Liverpool's reliance on Daniel Sturridge, who has scored six goals in 12 games since signing from Chelsea in January.

Rodgers has insisted that Suarez is "still very much part of our family and very much part of our future" despite speculation that the ban may prompt him to seek a move abroad.

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886 comments

  • Comment posted by ClarkySparky, at 13:56 26 Apr 2013

    Sensible decision Luis, as a Liverpool and football fan you are one of the most watchable players I've ever seen, though you need your head testing. Ten game ban was more than fair.

    Before the trolls come out, let's at least respect that he's accepted the decision and move on.

    Prove you're better than where people see you now Luis

  • Comment posted by U6887601, at 13:55 26 Apr 2013

    Glad to see Cameron has an opinion on this but not on the Bahrain GP

  • Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 14:02 26 Apr 2013

    Thank goodness for this. I was really concerned that there wouldn't be a forum for me to voice my opinion on this incident

  • Comment posted by U14562532, at 13:47 26 Apr 2013

    I've run out of comments...

  • Comment posted by U15452199, at 13:57 26 Apr 2013

    First sensible thing he's donei a while. Now shut up, get on with it, learn from it, and stick to what you're god at, cos when you aren't being a helmet you're actually a half decent footballer.

  • Comment posted by poppy, at 15:46 26 Apr 2013

    The one person who I think comes out of all this with great credit is Branislav Ivanovic. Amongst all and sundry queuing up to give their opinion, the person who has the most right to feel aggrieved has maintained a most dignified silence and I think he should be commended for that.

  • Comment posted by U2277550, at 14:21 26 Apr 2013

    As a Swansea fan I am baffled by Brendan Rodgers comments about the Suarez punishment 'being aimed at the man' and suggesting need of a rehabilitation element. What does he want the PL to provide counselling? This is a highly paid talented man with behavioural problems which have manifested in several incidents.Let Suarez or Liverpool face up and sort it out. BR is embarrassing Liverpool.

  • Comment posted by Chiggers, at 14:04 26 Apr 2013

    @28 'Good decision Luis, serve the ban and come back an even better player in September......'. I think that we all would prefer it if he came back as a better person...

  • Comment posted by SJC961, at 13:58 26 Apr 2013

    By accepting it, Suarez has shown more sense than Brendan Rodgers, a distinguished manager, and Jamie Carragher, a seasoned defender and stalwart of LFC.

    LFC in denial.

  • Comment posted by Mark, at 16:29 26 Apr 2013

    When you walk on the pitch,
    Hold your head up high,
    And don't be afraid of the calm,
    At the end of the match,
    There's a goal for a draw,
    And the sweet bloody taste of an arm,
    Chew on through the wind,
    Chew on through the rain,
    Though his arm be bloody and raw,
    Chew on, chew on,
    With a bite on his arm,
    And you'll never eat alone,
    You'll never eat alone...

  • Comment posted by nj2810, at 13:50 26 Apr 2013

    Is it just me or is Liverpool's YNWA rapidly becoming YAWN!

  • Comment posted by Ewok63, at 15:29 26 Apr 2013

    The real world

    If I bite somebody at work I get fired. A footballer gets an extended holiday

    If I beat somebody up I get jailed and fired. A footballer (J Barton for example) gets jailed and then gets his job back.

    Sorry, but they have no concept of the real world....

  • Comment posted by El Matador, at 13:49 26 Apr 2013

    Should close the comments pronto! He accepts the ban, now let's look forward to some F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L

    Can you write a story about some football? BBC...???

    *line cut out*

  • Comment posted by U14377330, at 16:56 26 Apr 2013

    I'm amazed at the apologists for this serial psycho.

    The fact that 'he accepts....' sums it up. He is subject to the rules so whether he accepts or not is irrelevant.

    Footballers are becoming detached from reality. They earn (sorry get) vast sums of money, are cosseted and backed up by deluded managers. Fans that support their lifestyles are similarly lacking ijn brain cells.

  • Comment posted by AP, at 16:36 26 Apr 2013

    Let's face it, he deserves that ban, those gnashers are a deadly weapon. He could eat an apple through a letterbox with them!

  • Comment posted by jamjar, at 16:34 26 Apr 2013

    I can't see what the fuss is all about. He bit Otman Bakkal and got a 7 match ban from the dutch FA. you could argue that should be lesson learned. So why be supprised when he gets a 10 game ban for the same offence. He didn't learn the first time so well done to the FA for upping the ban.

  • Comment posted by paulkerton, at 14:44 26 Apr 2013

    And the comments once again prove that Liverpool FC should change their motto to Offended by Everything, Ashamed of Nothing.

    Perhaps a bit of pigeon Latin? offenderis omnia, nihil pudet

  • Comment posted by suzyp, at 13:54 26 Apr 2013

    didnt realise DC was part of the FA ?????? listen DC, as disgraceful as Suarez behaved, sort out our country first eh?

  • Comment posted by grahame, at 16:34 26 Apr 2013

    Have Liverpool changed their PR dept? .At last someone is talking sense on this sordid affair. Whoever wrote that acceptance for Suarez has got it right. He immediately showed some measure of contrition by his prompt apology,but then made a mess of things by trying to dictate the length of his ban, particularly when he has previous.He is a fabulous player, lets hope we see more of that side of him

  • Comment posted by U15330584, at 16:00 26 Apr 2013

    no you only put down a dog when they draw blood in case they get a taste for it - if you put down every dog that's ever bitten, there would be no dogs. SO if suarez was a dog i'd say he'd be a Jack Russell - bitey but nothing to worry about.

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