Giorgio Chiellini issues statement.
The player who was bitten by Luis Suarez during Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Italy believes that FIFA have been excessive in their punishment of the Liverpool striker.
Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was left with bite marks in his shoulder on Tuesday, expressed his opinion in a statement.
Suarez was fined around £66,000 and banned from all football-related activity for four months, meaning that he will be unable to play again until late October.
He has also had his FIFA World Cup accreditation revoked.
“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,” Chiellini wrote on his official website.
“There only remains 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.”
FIFA decided to issue the four-month ban after considering Suarez’s previous history of biting.
Suarez was suspended for seven Ajax matches for biting PSV’s Otman Bakkal in 2010.
In April last year, he sunk his teeth into Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, earning a 10-game ban.
Suarez is not allowed to travel with, or watch live, his international teammates at the World Cup.
As a result, he has returned to his home in Uruguay.
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