Suarez penalty for biting player called ‘barbarity’
Uruguay’s captain angry over four-month ban from all soccer-related activities
The Luis Suarez affair simply will not go quietly into the night.
Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano has again jumped to the defence of teammate Suarez in the wake of the striker’s four-month ban from all soccer-related activities for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Suarez returned home to Montevideo to a hero’s welcome early Friday, met by thousands at the airport.
FIFA’s decision includes nine international matches and 13 for Liverpool in the Premiership, lasting through October. Suarez was also barred from entering any stadiums during his penance.
“It’s a breach of human rights that a player cannot go into a stadium where there are 80,000 people or into a hotel with his teammates, that he cannot work for four months,” Lugano fumed to reporters. “He has committed a crime, but this (ban) is barbarity. Not even a criminal would receive this penalty.” Ronaldo Roasted
Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted by former Sporting Lisbon and Benfica manager Manuel José over Portugal’s three-and-out performance at this World Cup.
“Portugal have been carrying the ‘world’s best’ like a diamond ring that we never had,” he complained to TSF Radio. “The other players were treated like subordinates. Completely.
“He is a fantastic player, but every time he speaks, he comes out with a blunder.
“He ended up saying that he never believed in the team. If he does not believe in the team, then he doesn’t believe in his teammates.” Maradona Disses Selecao
Maradona is always happy to take a side swipe at archnemesis Brazil. The Argentinian genius-madman made comments in the wake of the Selecao’s narrow penalty-shootout win over Chile on Saturday.
“Brazil,” sniffed the 1986 World Cup winner, “finished the game on their knees, without attacking. They did not deserve to reach penalties. I was hugely disappointed in them. Neymar had physical problems and disappeared in the second half. To be honest, Chile deserved to go through.’’
So it won’t take a Tarot card reader to figure who Diego is cheering for in the tasty Brazil-Colombia quarter-final.
“Today Colombia have an exciting and mobile style of football. You can tell they are hungry for glory and their lads run hard. I’m not saying they are a force in this World Cup, but if they continue like this, watch out.” Nutmegs
Former marauding Brazilian international fullback Roberto Carlos says ’keeper Iker Casillas is at fault for Spain’s early ouster. “Iker has to take responsibility. As a friend, I’m sorry for him and for the team, but you always have to improve as you do not live in the footballing past, but in the present.” ... German boss Joachim Low has been given a job guarantee, regardless of Germany’s finish at this World Cup. Under Low, the Germans have reached three semifinals at major tournaments but have no championship wins. ... FIFA is investigating claims Chile striker Mauricio Pinilla was punched by Brazilian communications director Rodrigo Paiva at halftime of their Saturday match.