Three-time biter Luis Suarez is returning to action with Uruguay after serving a nine-match international ban for taking a piece out of Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup. Suarez is now set to feature for Uruguay in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Peru.
Suarez was forced to miss the 2015 Copa America and the first four matches of 2018 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying while also serving a four-month ban regarding all football-related activities with the national team.
Reflecting on his time spent away from the national team, Suarez came out firing when speaking with Uruguayan newspaper El Observador.
“I was treated worse than a violent ultra,” claims Suarez, “because banning someone from a football match, a training session, is just incomprehensible.”
While violent conduct in the stands is generally dealt with in the strictest of terms, a lifetime ban for any identifiable culprit being commonplace, Suarez remains adamant that he is the victim in the proceedings that were filed against him.
“They punished me so hard, now everyone is getting their part,” boohooed the serial dealer of fang-induced punctures. “There were people who got involved, who judged and criticized, or others who said they were defending me when all they were doing was selling smoke.”
As Wright Thompson detailed in a piece for ESPN, Suarez remains an enigma of sporting aggression, his rage and performance levels on the pitch dictated by an innate desire to rise above humble beginnings and would-be detractors. While much has been made of the possible personal rumination behind his biting tendencies, we are no closer to an answer than these unrepentant musings reveal.
Photo: @Squawka | Twitter
The time away from the sport he loves, the actions that those took to prohibit him from doing the one thing he's passionate about, made the authorities only all the more loathsome in the eyes of Suarez.
Suarez has been in blistering form for Barcelona this campaign, scoring 43 goals in 42 appearances. Uruguay have fared well enough without their star player, they currently occupy second place in the South American World Cup qualifying standings.
Suarez has now turned his focus to returning to the pitch for Uruguay and replicating his goal scoring feats for his country.
“It’s been such a long time so I’m obviously very keen; but I’m also relieved that it’s finally all over,” said Suarez. “The worst is behind me and now it’s time to enjoy playing for Uruguay again, which is what I’ve spent so long waiting for.”
Ultimately, he’s ready to forget about the incidents that’ve plagued his past with the national team, but it’s difficult to envision him ever forgiving those who infringed upon his right to play.
(H/T: World Soccer)
