This combo of two photos shows Italy’s defender Giorgio Chiellini (L) showing an apparent bitemark and Uruguay forward Luis Suarez (R) holding his teeth after the incident during the Group D match between Italy and Uruguay at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 24, 2014. (AFP)
DPA/Madrid
Barcelona are pleased with the public apology issued Monday by Luis Suarez regarding his infamous biting of Giorgio Chiellini in the stormy Italy-Uruguay World Cup clash.
According to media reports, Barca actually asked Suarez to make the apology as a condition for the Catalans trying to sign him from Premier League club Liverpool. Barca’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said yesterday: “Luis has had the character and humility to recognize his error. That is important. It is honourable for him to accept his mistake.”
Zubizarreta - who was presenting new signing Ivan Rakitic to the media - declined to comment on Barca’s interest in Suarez. “He is an excellent player, but he is a player at Liverpool.” Meanwhile, Rakitic said of Suarez: “He has shown great courage to apologise. That says a lot about him, and I congratulate him for it. He has a lot of quality and has shown this in the World Cup and for Liverpool.”
Barca are immersed in a profound reconstruction process after their first season without trophies since 2008. Veterans Victor Valdes and Carles Puyol have left the club, and playmaker Xavi seems poised to depart also. Rakitic, signed from Sevilla, is their third summer signing, after goalkeepers Claudio Bravo from Real Sociedad and Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Borussia Moenchengladbach. In addition, youngsters Rafinha and Gerard Deulofeu have returned from loan spells at Celta Vigo and Everton respectively.