Luis Suarez was given a four-month suspension from all football, including entering a stadium, by FIFA on Thursday. Henry Jackson (@OnFootballTweet) rounds up some of the major reaction from journalists, ex-players and fans on twitter.
Luis Suarez has been officially reprimanded for his outrageous bite on Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Italy on Tuesday, with FIFA handing him a four-month ban from all forms of football.
In those four months, the 27-year-old will not be allowed to train for both Liverpool and Uruguay, and he will also not be allowed to set foot inside any football stadium.
This means his World Cup is over, despite Uruguay still being in the tournament, and he won’t be able to represent the Reds until the end of October; the League Cup fourth round, should Liverpool still be in the competition at that stage.
It is a decision that has rocked Liverpool Football Club, despite being a fair, if not slightly lenient, verdict, and it furthers clouds his uncertain future at the club.
Those high up at the club are set to sit down and discuss Suarez’s future in the coming days.
Here’s how journalists, players, ex-players and fans reacted on twitter once the news broke on Thursday:
FIFA
BREAKING: #URU's Luis Suarez suspended for nine matches and banned for four months from any football-related activity. MORE TO FOLLOW
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2014
JOURNALISTS
The Mirror’s OLIVER HOLT
Nine-match ban for Suarez for Uruguay games is about right but really don't see why Liverpool should have to be punished as well. Bizarre
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) June 26, 2014
The Guardian’s BARNEY RONAY:
Remember what English people did to David Beckham for being conned by Simeone? Uruguayans seem very forgiving
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) June 26, 2014
JIM BOARDMAN of the Mirror:
If still an #LFC player, Suarez will miss 13 club games: 9 in the Premier League, 3 in the Champions League and one in the League Cup.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) June 26, 2014
JAMES PEARCE of the Echo:
Ian Ayre: "LFC will wait until we have seen and had time to review the FIFA Disciplinary Committee report before making any further comment.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) June 26, 2014
OLIVER KAY of the Times:
Fifa clarification on Suarez. He WOULD be able to transfer during his ban from football-related activity (hypothetically of course…) #LFC
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) June 26, 2014
The Daily Telegraph’s HENRY WINTER:
#Suarez can play #uru friendly matches. Only competitive matches count towards nine-match suspension.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 26, 2014
IAN LADYMAN of the Daily Mail:
A personal view is that Suarez should be banned for three games for violent conduct. No more than that.
— Ian Ladyman (@Ian_Ladyman_DM) June 25, 2014
DAN WALKER of the BBC:
Worth remembering that for all the matches he's missed #Suarez has never been sent off in club football
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 26, 2014
PLAYERS AND EX-PLAYERS
Former Red STAN COLLYMORE:
Luis Suarez can face #NUFC at St James's Park Nov 1st .@talkSPORT LIVE
Follow the Premier League @SportsYapper
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) June 26, 2014
Former England star GARY LINEKER:
https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/statuses/482179791182102528
LIVERPOOL FANS AND WRITERS
I think the punishment is disproportionate, but bottom line is if #Suarez doesn't bite the guy it's a non issue. He has to take the blame.
— Si Steers (@sisteers) June 26, 2014
Suarez banned for 9 matches and 4 months… Jesus wept… #Suarez #URU #LFC #FIFA
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) June 26, 2014
Final thought: I'd be very surprised if appeals aren't lodged by a number of parties with Fifa's Appeals Committee and CAS.
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) June 26, 2014
#LFC without Suarez under Rodgers P11 W8 D2 L1. Same again please lads.
— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) June 26, 2014
https://twitter.com/LFCTS/statuses/482167433411956736
Let's say Sanchez comes in. Sanchez – Sturridge – Sterling. Suarez's ban won't be a disaster, a big blow but not the end of the world.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) June 26, 2014
CONCLUSION
The ban inflicted on Suarez leaves Liverpool in a very tricky position.
They have stood by their star man twice before, and to be let down a third time must leave the club wondering whether they should try and keep hold of him or sell him on.
Despite his undoubted genius football clubs move on, and should Real Madrid or Barcelona come in with a big offer for the 27-year-old, as is being rumoured, Liverpool must be tempted to accept it.
Suarez has been a wonderful servant at Anfield, but once he does return to the fold, it’s hard not to feel that another moment of controversy will be just around the corner.
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