Liverpool fine Luis Suarez for biting Chelsea defender Ivanovic – Now await FA’s verdict
With Chelsea seeking vital points in their quest for a Champions League place, their clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday was bound to be fiercely contested. The match was given added spice by the return of Chelsea’s interim boss Rafael Benitez to the club where he had previously been so successful. Although the match was not short of high quality football, it made the headlines for all the wrong reasons following a bizarre incident involving Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
In a moment of madness, the Uruguayan grabbed hold of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and bit him on the arm. Ivanovic complained to the referee but he cannot have seen the incident as Suarez escaped any punishment during the match. To add to the controversy, it was Suarez who then headed Liverpool level at 2-2 with the last touch of the game in the 97th minute. That was a cruel blow to the Blues who had looked relatively comfortable after goals by Oscar and Hazard (penalty) with former Chelsea player Daniel Sturridge scoring for Liverpool in reply.
Liverpool have attempted to take the sting out the situation by immediately fining Suarez for his “unacceptable behaviour” with the striker having apologised to Ivanovic and to both clubs. Ivanovic was questioned after the match but has declined to press charges. This is the second time in his career that Suarez has been involved in biting an opponent having received a seven-match ban for a similar incident whilst playing for Ajax against PSV Eindhoven in 2010. The Football Association will now look into the matter and are certain to take further action against the striker who was also involved in controversy for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra. He received an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine on that occasion. The FA will also offer counselling to Suarez and Liverpool in order to address his “anger management” problems.
The incident understandably dominated the headlines and the effect of the loss of two vital
points to the Blues was largely overlooked. The result was given added significance when Tottenham came back from a goal down to defeat Manchester City 3-1 and now sit just a point below Chelsea in the table. The two sides are due to meet in what could be a decisive encounter in the quest for Champions League football. Benitez must now re-group his battle weary troops for a difficult semi-final first leg tie against Basel on Thursday evening.
Chelsea’s season began with so much optimism as the Champions of Europe but they are now left fighting for the Europa League and a battle to secure Champions League football next season. Benitez will be moving on when his contract terminates in the summer and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho remains favourite to make a dramatic return to Stamford Bridge. He and any other leading candidates would expect to see Chelsea in the top European competition next season but that is now far from certain.
