Luis Suarez Ban: What the back pages say

The controversial Uruguayan has been banned for four months from all football by FIFA, following his inexcusable bite on Giorgio Chiellini on Tuesday. We round up some of the best reaction from the British media since the news broke on Thursday.

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The Times have revealed Liverpool’s unhappiness at the situation, with them reporting that the club may well take legal action against FIFA for not allowing Suarez to represent the Reds for the next four months.

BBC Sport‘s Phil McNulty described how Suarez’s behaviour has affected not only his own image, but also Uruguay’s:

“In taking Suarez out of the World Cup, Fifa has wiped away the biggest stain on events here in Brazil. Uruguay – in a state of lockdown and denial that did them a disservice – are instantly in reduced circumstances ahead of their meeting with Colombia at the Maracana on Saturday.

“The fact that it was done in front of a global audience and was headline news in the United States, as well as on every sports and news programme in Brazil, only emphasises the damage he has done to his, Uruguay’s and the game’s reputation.”

Oliver Holt of the Daily Mirror had sympathy for Liverpool and their fans, believing the club’s star man has let them down yet again:

“The four-month ban from all football is desperately harsh on Liverpool, particularly as the player appeared to have become a reformed character in their colours. It is a brutal blow to the club’s hopes of improving on the wonderful season they have just had.

“Let’s not forget Liverpool supporters, either. They have been unswervingly loyal to Suarez and have argued in his defence with great passion and logic. He has let down them and the supporters of his proud footballing nation, Uruguay, most of all.”

Ben Rumsby of the The Telegraph outlined Suarez’s record-breaking fine, and how Liverpool may potentially deal with the matter:

“The heaviest punishment ever handed out to a player at a World Cup – which included a £66,000 fine – also forced Uruguay to evict him from their team hotel in Brazil and he was on Thursday night travelling back to Montevideo to contemplate his fate.

“The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) quickly announced its intention to appeal the “excessive” punishment but Suárez returning home was tantamount to an admission that his World Cup was over.”

Owen Gibson of The Guardian described how the Uruguayan FA are inexcusably defensive of the decision:

“Although Uruguay will appeal the decision, it will not stop Suárez being banned from Saturday’s match because under article 124 of the Fifa disciplinary code it does not have a “suspensive effect”. Before Fifa announced their judgment, the Uruguayan FA and even the country’s president had weighed into the issue in support of Suárez.

“They claimed that Suárez was the target of a conspiracy among the Italians, the English media and the Brazilian hosts to make more of the incident than it warranted.”

The Daily Mail‘s Pete Jenson believes Suarez’s antics won’t act as too much of a deterrent to Barcelona, who have been hotly tipped to make a bid for the 27-year-old, but rivals Real Madrid have someone else lined up:

“Barcelona remain interested. Suarez is being touted as the new Hristo Stoichkov, who was prone to moments of madness but formed a vital part of the team that won their first European Cup in 1992.”

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