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Mujica strongly supports Suárez and blasts FIFA: “they went too far”

Friday, June 27th 2014 - 06:56 UTC
Full article 58 comments

Uruguay's president Jose Mujica blasted FIFA's Thursday decision to fine and suspend the country's main scorer Luis Suarez from any football activity for four months arguing the association that rules world football measures things with different rods, and since Uruguay “is a small country, it's cheap for them”. Read full article

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  • reality check

    WTF is it with these people?

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Heisenbergcontext

    So this is what a victim mentality, laid bare, looks like. Pathetic.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Buzzsaw

    When the leader of your country says those kind of things , you have got to be embarrassed.
    Maybe in Uruguay it is normal to bite the opposition, but in the rest of the civilised world it is some what frowned upon. And what is with these SA's always playing the victim!
    Third time biting on the field, last time a 10 match ban, I think this ban was about right, if it had happened at Liverpool I am sure it would have been a lot more by the FA.
    There are times when you have to put your hands up and admit your countryman was wrong, but judging by the Uruguayan reaction you would think this is all made up and there is a vendetta against Mr Suarez and Uruguay.
    I know winning is everything, but when you have to cheat to win, you need to take a good look at yourselves. Part of me thinks he Suarez may have done this to force a move out of the UK to Spain, get the UK press to hound him, gives him the perfect excuse to say to the world 'see they have it in for me', funny how just a few months ago he won the PFA award voted for by those same journos.
    Still it all adds to the fun of the fair

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Be serious

    If there were more biting, eye gouging, kneeing, brawling and punching I might watch a bit more footy.
    But the problem here is that instead of biting Suarez back the Italian fell over as if he had been shot.
    At the end of the day a minor clash which should have been settled by an RU style sin binning.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    Tell you what, if a WRU player bit an opponent in a Rugby World Cup game that's it mate, he can fucking forget wearing the red jersey, ever again. That's it, international career over, no matter who he is.

    Sin bin? Leave the stadium more like!

    The game and the good name of Wales, is far more important than the personality of the player and they know that.

    SIMPLES!!!

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    As has been said, the victim mentality is embarrassing. What does FIFA have to gain from banning Suarez? Nothing. And why mention England or Italy, they are out and not coming back to the competition because of this ruling.

    The article glosses over the fact that Suarez will miss 9 Premier league games and 3 Champions league games. Liverpool pay his wages, paid a fortune for him and are feeling the cost of his terrible behaviour far more, Uruguay are not favourites to win the WC. Suarez received a lot of psychological support from Liverpool and this last year at Liverpool he contributed to the team winning the Fair Play award. So, one has to consider why his behaviour went back into the gutter when playing for Uruguay.

    Making excuses for Suarez is not going to help him at all. People own their own behaviour. It is no longer an alleged bite. Suarez has been found guilty and has been punished. He should man up.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Buzzsaw

    It was a blatant cheat to try and get a reaction out of an opposition player, with , I would guess the end result in the player being sent off. It was a premeditated assault on a player, it was deliberate, a lose elbow in aerial challenge could be considered a minor clash, but deliberately elbowing someone off the ball and from behind is underhand and cheating

    'But the problem here is that instead of biting Suarez back the Italian fell over as if he had been shot.'

    What, unlike Suareaz who fell over as if he had been shot, please.... you are not Uruguayan are you

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    I like how the article says “The alleged bite of the Uruguayan scorer ”

    There is nothing alleged about it. It was actual. He's been found guilty of it.

    And if you look at the video there is no way possible you can see it is anything but deliberate.

    He actually stretches his whole body taller and leans in to BITE.

    Pathetic actions by Mujica. Absolutely pathetic. What a shameful way to support unsportsmanlike behaviour.

    Way to go in educating your nation's children in responsibility.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 08:08 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    If that happened in the UK and the Italian made a complaint to the police, Suarez would have found himself arrested and on the basis of the overwhelming evidence, would probably find himself in court on an assault charge.

    It's that simple, what he did was assault the other player.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 08:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Steve-34-uk

    Typical South American attitude, always someone elses fault...

    A leader of a nation should be setting a better example and accept that Suarez's ban (which most people I've spoken to about think is fair) is his own fault...

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 08:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zathras

    Did anyone else notice after the Italian player was assaulted (no allegedly about it), he acted properly, knowing if he took off his shirt he would be issued a yellow card.
    So he approached the Ref pulling the top of his shirt away from his neck to show the wound inflicted.
    But as he did this another Uruguay came up to him and tried to cover up the incident.

    Seriously though Jose Mujica is just nuts this was a savage assault. Not surprising the Maraconner didn't see this as cheating either.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 08:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CaptainSilver

    A cheat gets his cumuppance, and the only ones supporting him are an ex terrorist and the worlds most successful fat cheat. Says it all…

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 08:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    Thousands of Uruguayan fans turned out at the airport to give Suarez a 'hero's' welcome. Some children were wearing false teeth in honour of their role model. A country without morals led by a terrorist who went home early because it was a bit cold and the flight was delayed.

    Suarez let his country down. He let his club down. He let himself down. He needs to take responsibility.

    'But the problem here is that instead of biting Suarez back the Italian fell over as if he had been shot.'
    In the run up to the WCFs Suarez took part in an advertising campaign that mocked his diving 'as if he had been shot' when he had hardly been touched.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 09:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    And during the time of the ban I suppose Liverpool will still be paying his wages. Liverpool ought to make an example of him and refuse to pay his wages AND fine him. LATAMS barbarians the lot of them.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 09:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    I hear they are going to appeal.

    What, like 200m+ people didn't see in happen on live time TV?

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 09:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    The truth is not going to stop them whining. It is all a conspiracy against Uruguay. Chiellini forced his shoulder onto Suarez's teeth and it is not like he has a history of biting, or that it is clearly shown with video evidence. Suarez's very expensive lawyer had called it 'casual play'.

    If the Uruguayan FA do not condemn Suarez's behaviour, they may also expect sanctions.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 10:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    There is something mentally ill with these Alba+Argentina and Brazil leaders.
    Which leads me to believe there's something mentally ill with the population that supports them.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 10:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    ”They (FIFA) over did it, they went too far, they want to punish us because we are Uruguayans and we're small and thus is cheap to punish us“, added Mujica.“

    No, your player bit someone-why do Latams have the mentality of denial and escape to fantasy land by sticking their heads in the sand.?

    ”They (FIFA) don't have an idea how happy they make us;“

    But you can't pay him what he is worth so he has to play in Europe?

    ”Such behavior cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup”

    But that behaviour is clearly acceptable to Pepe, the victim mentality clearly dictated to him by his Argentine masters.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 10:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • darragh

    I remember when David Beckham touched the back of an Argentine players leg, who went down like he had been poleaxed. Did the Brit media, politicians etc play the victim card - not a bit of it - Beckham was vilified by the media for his crass stupidity - where is the SA media lambasting Suarez?.

    My 3 year old went through a stage of biting but he soon, with an element of verbal chastising, got over it. Suarez is still stuck in 3 year old mode.

    Anybody remember Norman Hunter?

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 11:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Be serious

    Everybody needs to calm down including the Uruguayan President and Suarez's Granny.
    Footy is a game played in the main by cheats, liars and con men and is one of the reasons I despise it so much.
    Nobody really honestly respects the majority of footballers as people.
    What Suarez did was a bit naughty but he didn't break any legs or cause any serious damage.
    I am not Uruguayan but if I am expected to watch some of this nonsense night after night I would rather watch the best players (which Suarez is one) and see the best team win. The only beneficiaries of this are Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Holland. IMHO Uruguay was a serious threat but not now.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 11:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    Uruguay was never a serious threat @20. They have a reputation as dirty players and they lived up to it.

    Suarez was not 'a bit naughty'. He broke the rules of the game and has been punished for it. He should man up and accept he let his country down.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 11:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Buzzsaw

    The difference between Rugby and Football

    Footballers spend 90 mins trying to convince the ref that they are injured,
    rugby players spend 80 mins trying to convince the ref they are not!

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 12:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    I don't get Uruguay, they needed him to stand a chance of winning the cup.

    He lets them down, let's face it, biting a person! is a bit more deliberate than an over zealous tackle and they support him for it!

    It beggars belief.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 12:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    EVERYONE!!!

    You have to realise that the average Uruguayo is really stupid, just like “No Money Pepe”.

    Why should anybody care what he says about following society’s expectations of good behaviour or pay the price?

    And if he behaves like this why expect Joe Uruguayo to be any different, they are just as illiterate and innumerate as Pepe?

    It embarrasses me to say this but you are looking at and judging a third world country out of western eyes and values. It has taken me three years to come to this understanding and live with the consequences.

    There are many lovely people in this great country, please don’t let a bunch of dead-headed football fans colour your opinion.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 12:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @24 Oh, I am well aware of the cultural differences in the Southern Cone. I live with it half of each year and make a lot of adjustments to appreciate their perspectives, though I don't share them. The inferiority complex and victim culture is the hardest to accept and bite one's tongue over. It is that which will keep them poor and backwards. Excuses for laziness and underachieving. What holds people back is their own people and culture, nothing to do with foreigners.

    Like you, I have met some exceptionally lovely people in SoAm. I have friendships there that will be lifelong.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 12:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Devonian

    What a pathetic reaction from the Uruguayan President. He should be ashamed of himself. FIFA is far from being a very well managed organisation and has lots of internal problems that it needs to sort out but as far this punishment goes for Luis Suarez it is absolutely right. I don't care what sort of background LS came from biting opponents has no place in football at any level. Pres.Mujica had better be very careful not to allow LS to come too close to his neck when they embrace!

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 12:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    You walk around the street biting people and see what happens.

    1st time police.

    2nd time court.

    3rd time sectioned!

    Try it and see for yourself.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 01:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Be serious

    21
    To be honest I'm not bothered either way.
    As for Uruguay being or not being a serious threat....it's a matter if opinion until they get knocked out or win it I suppose....so let's wait and see.

    If every player who broke the rules got properly punished with a 4 month ban then teams would lose players so fast they'd have to bring the girls on...but wait a minute...

    So who do you think are the main threats ? who do you think will win?

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 01:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • MizLia

    Sorry Uruguay--If you support his actions then you are ALL pendejos.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 04:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • cheekychulo

    A latino that proudly admits he used his hand to score a world cup goal sticking up for a latino that sunk his teeth into a opposing player in a world cup ... I suppose is to be expected.
    As much as the Liverpool supporters have taken Suarez into their hearts you could see the shame on their faces being interviewed on the news yesterday. .... a different upbringing I guess .

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 04:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    The worst part of this is a head of state openly supporting a man the whole world saw take a bite of another players shoulder.
    They always go on about how small and weak and victimised they are. The UK is small country, did that hold us back, absolutely not.
    These incidents highlight the stark differences in our peoples.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 04:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Voice

    ”And they are also after this lad because he does not have a university degree, he doesn't have a proper education.“

    Love that remark....
    He's a football player!!!...if they can read and write it's a bonus....
    If one of them has an ”O level”....they call him professor.....

    Suárez obviously needs psychiatric help...he can't help himself, who in their right mind would jeopardise their career and let down their country... knowing full well he was needed...and to a 3 billion audience....
    Unbelievable.....

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 05:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    32.
    I think its just arroogance and the idea that he can just get away with everything all the time.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 05:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Perhaps he should have his teeth filed down..

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 06:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Chilean perspective

    Fifa went too easy on him, Suarez is a serial offender and a disgrace. It should have been a one year suspension at least.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 07:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • redp0ll

    Who pays any attention to Mujica apart from his claque? Perhaps if he changed his skivvies as often as he changed his discourse Uruguay would see a benefit.

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 10:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Voice

    Yankeeboy....
    There figures are in now......
    An average of 24.7 million watched the World Cup thriller on ESPN and Univision, said data firm Neilsen.
    That matched figures for the 2010 final, but ESPN said an additional 490,000 people streamed coverage.
    The match had more viewers than homegrown events like the NBA finals in basketball or baseball World Series.

    ...so can we say that Soccer was the second most watched sporting event in the USA....;-)

    Jun 27th, 2014 - 11:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Chilean perspective

    He'll probably say its the lowest strata of american society. Poor deluded masturbation-boy.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 12:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • BOTINHO

    1. It can be, and will be appealed.

    2. As mentioned above, there is a great deal of acting and diving in the most minor of incidents. Perhaps Fifa and the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences in Hollywood can create a new Oscar for the best actor in the Copa.

    Best dive without touching another player, best innocent expression to the referee when caught fouling, and best agonizing and rolling around on the ground spontaneously.

    3. Pepe's comments are expected and understandable. Uruguai had a hope of a chance in the Copa, but no longer.

    4. I note that one foul not counted or measured is the Fifa B.B.A.A., or Best Bribe Amount Accepted.

    No longer measured in the thousands, one must qualify today by accepting an amount for ones “ consideration ” at least in the One Million range, GBP, EURO, or USD.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 02:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • TonyH

    It's understandable that Uruguay wants to support their star player. Even the President. But FIFA and the world's media are not picking on Uruguay, just for the sake of having nothing better to do. They have thrown Suarez out because, in front of millions on TV, he SHAMED his country and heritage with a quite despicable act. To say he did nothing, or not so much, is to make Uruguay look like a country which has just emerged from the jungle. Is that really how you want your country to appear to the world? In many countries, if he had committed such an act in the street, or a bar, etc, he would probably be in jail, not just suspended. The very big ban is partly because he has now done this THREE times. Banned every time, and they're getting longer. Don't forget he was also guilty of racism against another player - maybe that's OK in Uruguay too? I see that Maradona is also saying he was guilty of 'almost nothing'. Well, what can you expect from a known cheat, and a convicted drug addict?

    It would look better to the world, and more responsible, if the Uruguay President said that Suarez has brought shame and ridicule to the country, and should never again be picked to play for his country.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 02:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Heisenbergcontext

    @39

    I can think of one individual who might prefer Swiss francs.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 02:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • redp0ll

    We'll let's hope Forlan can pull our team together tomorrow as captain. Yes I know he's past his sell by date but ten minutes on the pitch at a critical moment might do the trick

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 03:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • BOTINHO

    Ola Heisenberg -

    That's very nice of you, but I already have enough.

    All kidding aside, there was a time when property sellers accepted CHF or USD for payment, sitting on those currencies until needed.

    Today, if you want to buy something in Brasil, you need to visit the bank or a Cambio, and also produce your CPF ( social security identification to track all purchases ) to the seller or cashier/Caixa. Don't leave home without it, or you won't buy anything.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 03:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Heisenbergcontext

    @42

    I was actually thinking of a rather elderly Swisse gentleman whose name begins with an S, not a certain, younger, much more vigorous ( I presume ) Brazilian. A moot point nonetheless since I could liquidate my entire my entire assets and still not afford to entertain a FIFA official in the style to which they seem to have become accustomed.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 03:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Escoses Doido

    @27
    My first time;
    I bit a birds backside once at new year, she smashed a bottle over my head.
    I didn't even flinch, and told her she could do it again, as she was worth it.

    I've never seen a woman's expression change from hatred to wonder so quickly!

    (She was gorgeous too)

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 03:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • BLACK CAT

    Why to go Prez, Show the kids of Uruguay cheating is the way! glad to see you had enough time between feeding the chickens on your farm to go to the airport twice as poor Luis bottled it the first time around. How is he going to get sorted mentally if every time your country makes you a hero for cheating. The handball on the line in 2010 and how he was given super hero adulation from his fellow countrychildren (men would be pushing it) was the start of the biting, racial abuse, biting again cycle He craves attention. Uruguay get a F,,,king grip, your the problem, he is your problem child from an upbringing that leaves a lot to desired. Uruguay should be banned from anything sporting until they learn the values of sporting behaviour.

    Tossers

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 05:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    Apparently the Uruguayans are blaming the English press for the harshness of Suarez's punishment. They are barking up the wrong tree. Suarez - a third time offender - could easily have been banned for 2 years. He got off lightly.

    The lack of any remorse by Suarez will not help him when he goes back to European football. He may be a hero in South America but he sells himself in Europe.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 07:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Room101

    It was a criminal assault; if it happened in a civilian rather than a football context, in most civilise countries it would have meant arrest and Court procedures. Why there is a different morality on the “Sports” field is puzzling...unless one is amoral.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 08:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    @ 45 Escoses Doido

    You smooth talking bastard! :o)

    @ 46 BLACK CAT

    Didn't you know that out despicable president is a murdering commie terrorist bastard who as a“ Tupas” tried to overthrow the elected government by armed force which eventually led to the establishment of the Military government?

    Now THAT is just what we don't need to show as an example to the young people.

    At almost 80 YO he has now stated that he should not have used force!

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 12:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • BLACK CAT

    I kind of get the feeling the recent relaxation of Weed is starting to have an effect on the global standing of Uruguay. They sound like they are all on it.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 12:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    ”I totally agree, president (Mujica). Suarez is not responsible for the reaction, it is something that happens and belongs to the match”, said Maradona,“.......Coming from Maradona, the infamous ”mano de Dios“, this is no surprise....I suppose that both Maradona and Mujica think that someone pointed a gun at Suarez's head and said ”'go take a bite out of Chiellini's shoulder'”.......suspension well deserved.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 02:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    Suarez has released andofficial statement that is a complete farce. He 'fell onto Chiellini' apparently, despite the video evidence that he deliberately forced his head forward to bite Chiellini.

    He is in the wrong company to ever admit the truth or show any remorse.

    Jun 28th, 2014 - 02:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @47
    “Apparently the Uruguayans are blaming the English press for the harshness of Suarez's punishment”

    They'll be blaming the UK press for voting Suarez player of the year next.....

    Jun 29th, 2014 - 12:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    HA ha . great.

    Jun 29th, 2014 - 06:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    @48
    If it happened in the UK even at a sporting event, it would still be an assault and given the overwhelming evidence, would not necessarily require a complaint, though in the context of the competition, the CPS would probably not take it on.

    Jun 29th, 2014 - 09:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • BOTINHO

    Already in the Spanish, Italian, French, and German press, the player formerly known as Luis Suarez is now referred to as DRACULA.

    With all his millions, one thinks he could find a good oral surgeon somewhere.

    Jun 30th, 2014 - 02:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    Apparently Barcelona have put a “No biting” clause into his proposed contract.

    It's beyond belief to me.

    Jun 30th, 2014 - 12:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    Maybe he should partner up with Mike Tyson and then launch a new shampoo on the market, called “Ears and Shoulders”....by Tyson & Suarez Inc.

    Jun 30th, 2014 - 04:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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