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| Luis Suarez losing his balance and falling into Chiellini-Ridiculous! |
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 for 4 months and nine international matches for biting Chiellini in a group match on Tuesday.
Uruguay have told Fifa they intend to appeal against the Suarez 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, Suarez 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.
Meanwhile Suarez sent a tweet to the Uruguay fans who have stood by him and thanked them all:
"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"