Liverpool's Luis Suarez bites Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic: how the British press and media covered the story
Uruguayan branded "Cannibal of Anfield"
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool's talismanic and controversial striker Luis Suarez was branded the "Cannibal of Anfield" this morning, and hit with accusations he's a "disgrace" and has let down his club.
His crime was to bite the right arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during yesterday's Premier League match at Anfield.
At the time, the referee didn't punish the Urugyayan, who went on to score a last-gasp equaliser. Suarez could still face a hefty ban.
And this morning, The Sun said, “Same Old Suarez, Always Eating” while The Times' back page said Suarez had “shamed” the club which stood by him during a racism storm that saw him banned last season.
“The Kop Cannibal” was the Daily Mirror's back page headline, a description also used by the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph, both papers suggesting it was time Liverpool parted company with the 26-year-old.
It was not the first time Suarez has bitten an opponent. He was previously banned in the Netherlands after biting the neck of PSV's Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax in 2010.
Suarez, who leads the Premier League's scoring charts with 23 goals, issued an apology on Sunday and Liverpool condemned his behaviour. Managing director Ian Ayre described his actions as “not befitting of any player wearing a Liverpool shirt”.
The FA said they would talk to the match referee on Monday as they begin an investigation.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who has backed Suarez to win the Player of the Year award, was initially reluctant to talk about the bite but said no player was bigger than the club.
“Players are always replaceable, no matter how good they think they are,” Rodgers said on Liverpool's website.
“The standards at this club have been met for many years and that's why it is the worldwide institution that it is.”
This morning, Suarez tweeted that he had been fined by the club, and asked that the money be given to the Hillsborough Family Support Group.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments