After Luis Suárez was charged with violent conduct by the English FA yesterday, many fans, players and managers around the world are calling for the Uruguayan to face a lengthy ban. But not Mike Tyson.
The former world boxing champion spoke out on US radio this morning, after it was revealed he followed Suárez on Twitter, following the nibble Suárez had on Branislav Ivanovic’s right arm on Sunday.
“He [Suárez] bit someone, it happens. I am sure he will make amends with this guy,” Tyson told the David Glenn radio show. “I made amends with Evander and we got on with our lives.”
I don’t think Suárez will be able to go on with his life for quite some time, Mike. Number one, his previous record of biting an opponent shows a complete lack of regard for past discrepancies. Secondly, Liverpool’s main man is never far from controversy -- handballs in World Cup quarterfinals, alleged racist abuse of Patrice Evra, punching defenders, allegedly head butting a referee as a 15-year-old and obscene gestures to opposition fans to name a few -- so something needs to drastically change.
Finally, Suárez can’t just shy away for months like Tyson could in between fights. He is a public figure who millions of youngsters look up to and he has let one of England’s most prestigious clubs down time and time again.
Yes, everyone does deserve a second chance. But Suárez is on about his seventh. And unless his proposed anger management help from the FA has a distinct effect on his outlook, I doubt this will be the last time we see the name ‘Luis Suárez’ and the word ‘scandal’ linked symbiotically.
Tyson received a life ban, which was overturned after one year, and fined $3 million for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 title fight in Las Vegas. Food for thought… no pun intended. Suárez should not face a life ban, but he should get help from the right people to change his ways. Soccer is a contact sport and lets not pull the wool over our eyes and pretend punches, kicks, pinches and all kinds of fun and games don’t go on between strikers and defenders across the world. Because they do. But sinking your teeth into an opponent crosses the line. Players know that, fans know that and now, hopefully, Suárez does too.
