Luis Suarez Bite: 'I Lost My Balance And Fell On Chiellini'

Uruguay's Luis Suarez says he lost his balance and did not bite Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

Football's world governing body Fifa banned Suarez, 27, for four months and nine international matches for biting Chiellini in a group match on Tuesday.

Uruguay have told Fifa they intend to appeal against the decision.

“I lost my balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent,” wrote Suarez in his defence to Fifa.

“At that moment I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth.”

In a Fifa disciplinary committee document, the Liverpool striker added: “In no way it happened how you have described, as a bite or intent to bite.”

However, a seven-man Fifa panel concluded that the bite was “deliberate, intentional and without provocation”.

In its reasoning for the severity of the ban, Fifa added: “At no time did the player show any kind of remorse or admit to any violation of Fifa rules and therefore showed no awareness of having committed any infraction.”

Uruguay lodged their intention to appeal on Friday and have until next Sunday to submit a full written appeal.

Suarez has now returned to his homeland and is unavailable for Uruguay's last-16 tie against Colombia on Saturday.

Fans gathered outside Suarez's home to show their support and the player has thanked them for their backing.

The forward tweeted: “Hello everyone. I'm writing this message to say thank you to everybody for the support and affection I've been receiving.

“My family and I are very grateful for it. Many thanks for being by my side and I want everyone to support my team-mates in the game against Colombia.”

The fall-out from his ban has seen Uruguay Football Association president Wilmar Valdez call Fifa's punishment “excessive”.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has also said he will resign from two Fifa posts in protest at Suarez's treatment.

Suarez has also lost his role as a worldwide ambassador of online gambling firm 888poker, which said it had “decided to terminate its relationship” with “immediate effect”.

There is a question mark over the player's future at Liverpool and, despite his suspension from the game, Barcelona are still believed to be interested in signing him.

And although Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke says that Suarez should seek help during his suspension, defender Chiellini has stated he believes the ban is “excessive”.

Former Argentina international Diego Maradona has also declared his support for Suarez on his television show De Zurda.

BBC SPORT