Luis Suarez has been banned for 9 international matches and four months for biting Team Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay's 1-0 victory over Italy in the group stage of this year's FIFA World Cup. Suarez's coach Oscar Tabarez disagrees with the ruling, however, claiming that the ruling panel overreacted due to pressure from the media.
FIFA, the governing body of the World Cup, determined that the punishment for biting an opponent is a four-month ban on international football activity and a nine match suspension. At least that's the ruling they doled out for Uruguay's Luis Suarez.
He is also expected to pay a fine (via FIFA.com):
"'Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field. The Disciplinary Committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suárez's guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated,' said Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee."
Team Uruguay's coach Oscar Tabarez disagrees with the action, however (via Huffington Post):
"'It is not wise, at least it is not prudent to be in an organization with people who exerted pressure in order to promote this decision,' Tabarez said.
"He said those who punished Suarez had 'values that are very different from those that I believe I have.'"
Suarez's suspension is pretty hefty but considering the extreme nature of the infraction it seems reasonable. To everyone but Oscar Tabarez, that is.
What do you think? Is Suarez's suspension fair or is it excessive? What would be an appropriate measure in response to one player biting another?
Tell us your thoughts in the comment field below.
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