In his seven-plus years as a professional, Luis Suarez has produced some of the most sublime football on the planet. An unwavering willingness to track down every ball, he often pulls off the most audacious of passes and shots with relative ease. He never wants to be subbed off before the full 90 minutes is played, and his work ethic in training has been hailed by managers and teammates alike. He scored 23 Premier League goals for Liverpool this season, and before last Sunday’s match against Chelsea, he was on the short list of nominees for the PFA Player of the Year Award.
Now, Suarez has once again been cast back into the light of controversy with his biting of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. Unfortunately it’s not Suarez’s first time to bite an opposing player, and now a player who has been hailed by so many for his virtuoso performances, finds himself at one of the biggest crossroads of his career. With news of his 10-match suspension coming out today, it’s time to take a closer look at the History of Luis Suarez’s Moments of Madness.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
Gets Sent Off in His International Debut for Uruguay
Upon Arriving at Ajax, Gets into Fight with Teammate Albert Luque
Intentional Block of Stephen Appiah's Would-be Winner
Date: 7/2/2010
This "goal-line clearance," during the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup saw Luis Suarez receive a straight red for this intentional handball. Ghana was given a resulting penalty in the last moment of the match which Asamoah Gyan failed to convert, and Uruguay danced into the semifinals on penalties. Suarez could also be seen celebrating the miss from Gyan as he was heading for the tunnel. Suarez became a hero to everyone in Uruguay, but a cheat to everyone else.
Sinks His Teeth into Otman Bakkal
Date: 11/20/2010
His first biting incident back in Holland during his tenure with Ajax, gained Luis Suarez the nickname "the Cannibal of Ajax." Suarez was shown to have bitten Otman Bakkal of PSV during a coming together of several players on the pitch, and while no action was taken at the time, Suarez would subsequently receive a seven-match ban for his actions. This was also his last match for Ajax before moving on to Liverpool.
Gets Jack Rodwell Sent Off for an Over-embellished Challenge
Date: 10/1/2011
We can all see that there wasn't much in this Jack Rodwell challenge on Suarez, everyone except referee Martin Atkinson that is. Ironically, Everton boss David Moyes had a bigger bone to pick with Atkinson for the call than he did with Suarez for the dive. Either way, Suarez should be ashamed with that kind of acting.
Gives Fulham Fans the Finger
Racism Row with Patrice Evra
Date: 10/15/2011
We'll never know exactly what Suarez meant by his words to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra back in October of 2011. However, one thing is for certain, Suarez received an eight-match ban for his actions. This notorious episode only strengthened the bitterness between these two iconic English clubs.
Subsequent Refusal to Shake Patrice Evra's Hand
Date: 2/11/2012
In the very next meeting between United and Liverpool, Suarez promised he would shake Patrice Evra's hand before the match. Did anyone really believe he would though? Obviously he refused Evra's hand and became the focal point of conversation and chastising once again. He would later apologize yet again for his rash decision making.
Swan Dive in front of David Moyes
Date: 10/28/2012
This goal-scoring celebration during the Merseyside Derby back in October caught the ire of pundits and critics alike. Not to mention numerous Evertonians. The dive celebration in front of rival boss David Moyes was said to be in response to his comments that Suarez tends to influence refs with his embellishment of fouls. Moyes admitted he rather enjoyed the celebration, and said he would've probably done something similar himself. Irony?
Knocks Mansfield Town Out of FA Cup with a Handball Goal
Date: 1/6/2013
Surely it's not the job of a player to police himself if a ref misses a handball—unless you're Miroslav Klose—but it's just Suarez being at the center of controversy again in this case. It was revealed that the referee during this FA Cup clash did see the handball committed by Suarez, but he deemed it to be unintentional. We have a sneaking suspicion Suarez knew exactly what he was doing there.
Dives Against Stoke City and Later Admits It
Date: 1/17/2013
"Football is like that. Sometimes you do things on the field that later you think 'why the hell did I do that?' I was accused of falling inside the box in a match, and it's true I did it that time, because we were drawing against Stoke at home and we needed anything to win it."- Luis Suarez
Apparent Blow to Gonzalo Jara's Face
Date: 3/26/2013
During a recent World Cup qualifier in March, Suarez again found himself marred in controversy courtesy of this punch to the face of Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara. There were arguably some exchanges before that lead to this event, but nonetheless it's Suarez in the headlines, and not for praise.
Takes a Bite out of Branislav Ivanovic
Date: 4/21/2013
In this latest moment of madness, Luis Suarez appears guilty of once again biting an opponent. His victim, Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, has apparently accepted Suarez's personal apology. Luis has been formally charged with violent conduct by the FA (England's governing body of soccer), and fined by Liverpool Football Club. Suarez and the world now await the length of his ban, and while LFC managing director Ian Ayre says Suarez isn't going anywhere, his future with Liverpool and English football now hangs in the balance.
