Luis Suarez: I was treated 'like a criminal' after biting ban
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez writes in his new autobiography that he was treated “like a criminal” after being told to leave the Uruguay national team at the World Cup this summer after being thrown out of the tournament for biting an opponent.
Suarez made the comments in his autobiography “Luis Suarez: Crossing the Line - My Story.” He also writes that his transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona this summer felt like an "undercover operation."
After Suarez bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder during Uruguay's 1-0 win at the World Cup on June 24, FIFA banned him from all soccer activities for four months.
Suarez says in the book he remembers the moment that Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez told him that his suspension meant he had to leave the Uruguay team hotel in Brazil immediately.
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"It was as if I was being treated like a criminal," Suarez writes. "The only reason I did not cry was because the coach was there."
Suarez's ban covered nine international matches as well as several matches for Barcelona. Suarez made his debut for the club against rival Real Madrid in late October.
Suarez writes that he felt like FIFA gave him a bad reputation because of the suspension and that he did not deserve to receive that long of a ban. The striker apologized to Chiellini and acknowledged he made a mistake by biting him.
“The absurdity of the suspension by FIFA became increasingly evident," Suarez writes.
Barcelona eventually signed Suarez for a reported $118 million (£75 million).
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