Italy vs Uruguay was a do-or-die match for the latter. While the Italians could have made themselves content with a draw, the Uruguayans were forced to go all out to repair their goal differential catastrophe against Costa Rica.
The match was understandably cagey, but peppered with rash tackles and overdone shoulder pushes. A strict referee didn't help proceedings either; M. Rodriguez had a field day dishing warnings to numerous players. His peak arrived when Marchisio was shown the door after a challenge on Arevalo. At first glance, it might have seemed harsh, but I agreed with the ref's call. Had he slid in with more malicious intent, that could have been the kind of tackle that end careers. A textbook red was inevitable.
However, that's neither here nor there. This article isn't emphasizing on that, nor is it focused on the overall analysis of the match, or Group D as a whole.
This is a rant on Luis Suarez.
I find it hard to see how anyone could possibly defend such mentality. It's reprehensible, to say the least. The excuses have vanished, and the truth is inescapable. Suarez, talented as he is, really is scum of the earth.
Let's look at the facts. He bites someone while at Ajax, gets banned, forces a move to Liverpool during the ban, racially abuses Evra, refuses to acknowledge his mistake by not shaking his hand, then bites Ivanovic, gets banned, almost forces a move to Arsenal during the ban, disrespects the Liverpool support, and then abuses the same people who voted him for Footballer of the Year, then ruins the WC atmosphere by head butting and biting.
And then he has the nerve to suggest that the media are TARGETING him?!
Quite the contrary, as I have never known a player who has shown repeated violence, disloyalty and open contempt towards the media, yet given accolades by the same people.
The match was understandably cagey, but peppered with rash tackles and overdone shoulder pushes. A strict referee didn't help proceedings either; M. Rodriguez had a field day dishing warnings to numerous players. His peak arrived when Marchisio was shown the door after a challenge on Arevalo. At first glance, it might have seemed harsh, but I agreed with the ref's call. Had he slid in with more malicious intent, that could have been the kind of tackle that end careers. A textbook red was inevitable.
However, that's neither here nor there. This article isn't emphasizing on that, nor is it focused on the overall analysis of the match, or Group D as a whole.
This is a rant on Luis Suarez.
I find it hard to see how anyone could possibly defend such mentality. It's reprehensible, to say the least. The excuses have vanished, and the truth is inescapable. Suarez, talented as he is, really is scum of the earth.
Let's look at the facts. He bites someone while at Ajax, gets banned, forces a move to Liverpool during the ban, racially abuses Evra, refuses to acknowledge his mistake by not shaking his hand, then bites Ivanovic, gets banned, almost forces a move to Arsenal during the ban, disrespects the Liverpool support, and then abuses the same people who voted him for Footballer of the Year, then ruins the WC atmosphere by head butting and biting.
And then he has the nerve to suggest that the media are TARGETING him?!
Quite the contrary, as I have never known a player who has shown repeated violence, disloyalty and open contempt towards the media, yet given accolades by the same people.
The one thing I like about Twitter is its difference of opinion. It's a home for intellectual debating from all sides of the story. However, what I read yesterday surprised me. Not one tweet spoke out to his defence. Not one Mugsmasher or Uruguayan tried to justify or defend yet another disgusting Suarez act. The people have spoken, and their verdict is unanimous.
The question remains as to how FIFA would react to this. Surely a punishment is inevitable, but it has to be beyond strict to a guy like him. I'd give him a lifelong ban from performing in any international event, because it's apparent that Suarez is someone who never learns from his mistakes.
Football is meant to be a beautiful game, but Suarez's antics are wrecking it. Brazil has seen some spectacular football this season, and we've already seen what football is all about.
It's up to FIFA to decide what it's not about.
UPDATE: Suarez has been banned from football until 1st November, when Liverpool play Newcastle United. Good call guys.
-Santi (Follow my blog 'Gunning From India' and my Twitter account: @ArsenalBlogz)
The question remains as to how FIFA would react to this. Surely a punishment is inevitable, but it has to be beyond strict to a guy like him. I'd give him a lifelong ban from performing in any international event, because it's apparent that Suarez is someone who never learns from his mistakes.
Football is meant to be a beautiful game, but Suarez's antics are wrecking it. Brazil has seen some spectacular football this season, and we've already seen what football is all about.
It's up to FIFA to decide what it's not about.
UPDATE: Suarez has been banned from football until 1st November, when Liverpool play Newcastle United. Good call guys.
-Santi (Follow my blog 'Gunning From India' and my Twitter account: @ArsenalBlogz)