2. Will Uruguay Forgive Him?
Ricardo Mazalan/AP/Press Association ImagesAfter being found guilty of biting Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's World Cup group match with Italy, Suarez was banned for nine international matches, starting with their last-16 match against Colombia. In that game Uruguay looked poor in front of goal and although they were determined, they lacked that spark that was going to win them the game. To many that spark is Luis Suarez. Edinson Cavani had a poor tournament and the fans would have hoped Suarez would step up and guide them further into the tournament. Sadly, due to his disgrace on the world stage he wasn't able to take part and Colombia ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. Seeing as he will miss a further eight matches for Uruguay, some likely to be at the Copa America, it remains to be seen whether the fans will forgive him for his indiscretions. Immediately after the incident his international team mates and manager were quick to come out and publicly defend the troubled striker. Uruguay captain, Diego Lugano, claimed the images showed
"an approximation" and instead attacked British journalists by saying "You don't look that happy with Uruguay's victory." Uruguay manager, Oscar Tabarez, was equally supportive of his striker, saying Suarez had been made a
"scapegoat" by English-speaking journalists. It is clear from these remarks that the Uruguay national team stand by their star striker and look forward to his return. The fans must surely feel something similar. They are bound to be frustrated at Suarez for not being able to play in the round of 16 game against Colombia, but football is a fickle game and the age old cliché's stand strong. Most, if not all Uruguayans would rather Suarez was playing for them than sat on the bench or banned from the stadium.