Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez believes that Luis Suarez had been made a “scapegoat” for biting an opponent at the World Cup, lashing out at the “excessive severity” of his four-month ban.
“Many times you forget that the scapegoat is a person, who has rights,” said Tabarez, who read out a pre-prepared statement during a press conference ahead of Uruguay’s last-16 game against Colombia today.
“In this specific case of Luis Suarez, despite the faults he may have committed, he has made significant contributions to football from the pitch.”
Tabarez also said the punishment was “of excessive severity” and claimed that it was “more focused on the opinions of the media”.
Suarez was handed a nine-game international ban and suspended from all football-related activity for four months by FIFA on Thursday after sinking his teeth into the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a Group D game in Natal on Tuesday.
Tabarez refused to take questions from the media and was given a round of applause by Uruguayan journalists after reading his statement. He also announced that he has decided to step down from his position on FIFA’s technical study group and strategic committee over the affair.
It is the third time that Suarez has been banned for biting an opponent, after previous incidents with Ajax and his current club, Liverpool. Earlier, Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said that Suarez’s absence from today’s last-16 showdown between the sides will not affect his team’s approach.
“This is currently a sensitive, delicate issue,” a reluctant Pekerman said.
“As I understand it, it seems to me that our sole concern is Uruguay as a team. We’re working in order to play against them tomorrow (today).”
Even without their star striker, who scored twice in a 2-1 group-phase win over England, Pekerman believes that the South American champions remain a formidable proposition.
Asked for his thoughts on Suarez’s punishment, he replied: “First of all, we’ve always thought of Uruguay and their strengths.
“These are top-level opponents that we’re facing. It’s a very experienced team with a lot of abilities and a wonderful coach (Tabarez), who’ve had a successful cycle in the last few years. They’re going to be difficult opponents.”
Today’s game will be the first time that Uruguay have played a World Cup match at the Maracana since stunning Brazil 2-1 in the deciding fixture of the 1950 tournament, an event known as the ‘Maracanazo’.
Pekerman was not yet a year old when the game took place, but he said that stories about the match had been a source of inspiration to him in his development as a player.
“We have great memories, because everyone in football knows about that match,” he said.
“It’s considered quite a feat and it certainly was quite a feat. It was a wonderful thing. We know what it means to play in Brazil. That’s why it’s one of the great feats of world football.”
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Colombia (4-2-3-1)
Ospina; Zuniga, Zapata, Yepes, Armero; Aguilar, Sanchez; Cuadrado, James, Ibarbo; Martinez
Uruguay (4-3-1-2)
Muslera; Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, A. Pereira; Gonzalez, Rios, Rodriguez; Lodeiro; Cavani, Forlan
PREDICTION
Whenever the South American sides come up against each other, it is a tight affair. With Suarez absent for Uruguay and Rodriguez in fine form for Colombia, the latter should continue their fine form. Colombia win 2-1.
