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11/02/2024 01:22:43 pm

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Luis Suarez Issues Public Apology, Vows Never to Bite Again

Uruguay's Luis Suarez reacts after the controversial collision with Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the  Italy-Uruguay match on 24 June.

(Photo : Reuters/Tony Gentile)

Rio De Janeiro - Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has finally issued Monday a public apology to Italy's Giorgio Chiellini for the bite that expelled him from the World Cup.

In a statement released on his official Twitter page, the disgraced Liverpool striker said:

"After several days being home with my family. I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect on the reality of what occurred during the Italy-Uruguay match."

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He went on to explain that Chiellini "suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me." After apologizing to his colleagues, the striker twice previously sanctioned for biting on the field vowed to the public that the same incident will never happen again.

Within minutes of airing his apologies on Twitter, the Italian defender forgave Suarez saying "It's all forgotten. I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension."

Suarez initially denied the bite with the Uruguay camp jumping to his defense in the immediate aftermath, even prompting a presidential intervention from Uruguay president José Mujica who dubbed the FIFA authorities "sons of b-----s."

Suarez has appealed the nine-match international ban FIFA issued on him. It is still unclear how his apology could affect the ban, but efforts to significantly reduce the FIFA punishment, which also include a ban from all football-related activities and a fine of $100,000 Swiss francs or US$112,000, are underway.

Suarez's admission is seen by many as an attempt to appease the FIFA disciplinary committee to reduce the length of his ban.

According to the New York Times, the apology could also be a move to ease Suarez's possible transfer, on top of repairing his image. Although his suspension prevents him from playing until October, he may still negotiate a transfer this summer. News reports has him on his way to Barcelona.

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