Luis Suarez faced further criticism on Monday night after issuing a belated apology for biting Giorgio Chiellini and promising never to be involved in such an incident again - just as Barcelona stepped up their bid to sign him. Four days after receiving a four-month ban from the game and telling FIFA that the clash during Uruguay’s World Cup match against Italy in Natal was an accident in which he ‘lost balance’, the Liverpool striker made a complete U-turn and admitted he deeply regretted his actions. But the apology has led to widespread cynicism in the week that the 27-year-old was linked with an £80million move to the Nou Camp.
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Luis Suarez bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during World Cup match
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Liverpool striker was banned for four months by FIFA after incident in Natal
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Apology comes in the week Barcelona are rumoured to open up bidding for Uruguay star
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Gary Lineker claims Barcelona insisted on the apology if a transfer is to proceed
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Chiellini, the Juventus defender, retweeted Suarez's apology and also replied: 'It's all forgotten. I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension'
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Uruguayan president Jose Mujica had earlier called FIFA 'a bunch of old sons of b*****s' in another attack on football's world governing body
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Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez had also claimed Suarez had been made a worldwide scapegoat by FIFA, as well as criticising British media
four-month ban issued to @placeholder should not have been so severe.