Giorgio Chiellini probably still has Luis Suarez’s teeth marks imprinted on his left shoulder following the Uruguayan forwards bite on him during Italy’s 1-0 defeat and subsequent failure to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup.
The Italian defender has every right to publicly lambaste Suarez and his unprovoked bite which saw him banned by FIFA for four months from all soccer-related activity.
Instead, Chiellini took the high road.
Speaking about the in incident following Italy’s exit from the World Cup at the group stage, Chiellini had this to say on the hefty ban Suarez received.“Now inside me there’s no feelings of joy, revenge or anger against Suarez for an incident that happened on the pitch and that’s done, There only remain the anger and the disappointment about the match. At the moment my only thought is for Luis and his family, because they will face a very difficult period.
“I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies, but at the same time I believe that the proposed formula is excessive.
“I sincerely hope that he will be allowed, at least, to stay close to his team mates during the games because such a ban is really alienating for a player.”
Do you agree with Chiellini? Is Suarez being treated too harshly?
[VOTE: Was FIFA’s ban on Suarez long enough? ]
The Uruguayan star will miss the rest of the World Cup and has now flown back to Uruguay as his team continue their quest without their star man. Suarez, 27, is said to have had his FIFA credential revoked and is no longer allowed at the team hotel, stadium or any other soccer facility between now and October.
Many believed Suarez’s four-month ban could have been even worse. Expect, of course, for the man who hit bit.
You can’t make this stuff up.
[ RELATED: Suarez handed four-month ban by FIFA after bite ]
[ RELATED: Where does Suarez’s bite rank in WC’s most shocking moments? ]
