Dear Uruguay,
I feel the need to apologise for the rabid and ferocious response to Luisito’s bite by our free press. Yes, perhaps they have reacted in an overzealous fashion unbecoming of gentlemen. But, I suppose we can argue that they have never claimed to be gentlemen. Luis Suarez is a footballer of the highest calibre and unfortunately his antics are ensuring that he will forever be remembered for his on-field and alternative antics rather than creating and scoring goals.
As you will no doubt have noticed our team were unceremoniously dumped out of a World Cup in a spectacularly weak manner and it is easy to say that those victorious nations wanted the game more and were tactically and emotionally superior. We applaud the other teams of Group D and speaking for myself not for my nation, I can now enjoy the World Cup more with England out of it.
That Luis Suarez bit an opponent is something that will always send the media into frenzy, after all this is what is known as the silly season for the English press where there is nothing to report on as the nation is on holiday. Scandals sell newspapers in every country in the world. The eyes of the world are on him, unfortunately for the wrong reasons. The reaction of the press comes due to two high-profile instances of poor behaviour in the Premiership by the aforementioned player (racism and biting). This is not a hate campaign neither it is a plot to weaken a fantastic Uruguay side.
Why would you consider this to be a campaign to weaken Uruguay? We are out, you won fair and square and there is no resentment on our part. While Uruguay get to play on in the World’s most glorious football tournament our players are now home suffering the slings and arrows of their own misfortunes. The nation is in a deep period of introspection and profound self-loathing which has nothing to do with Luis Suarez. This cannot be a campaign; after all it is plain for all to see that we have no sway within FIFA. The decision was made and the world’s press have been reporting on it.
You are right to stand by your man, you are right to defend him. This is both admirable and correct, but now you would do well to make a statement just recognizing the authority of the FIFA decision and move on and focus on Saturday’s game against Colombia. Any further comments further undermine and alienate impartial supporters. Look how Brazil have fallen foul of international support after Fred’s activity in the first game versus Croatia.
That a country of under four million can champion in this way is a wonder of the modern game and my hat goes off to you. My final point is a quote by an American photographer which may help you understand the situation a little better from the point of view of someone who works in the press.
I don’t believe in objectivity. Everyone has a point of view. But I won’t be a propagandist for anyone. If you do something right, I’m going to take your picture. If you do something wrong, I’m going to take your picture also. – John Hoagland
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I am in no way defending the gentleman in question, but the World Cup would have been a much greater show had the penalty imposed on him been to wear a Hannibal-style muzzle, while being allowed to play agains Colombia.
Dear Richard, this is Diego from Uruguay.
I lived in London for one year and a half and I read terrible articles about Suarez saying he was a disgrace for football, a monster and all kind of synonyms. If you are a journalist, you know the influence of the media in people. I don’t think what Suarez did, was worst of many dangerous kicks I’ve watched in Premier League or even in this World Cup.
Of course, we are disappointed to lose our star, but I can assure you no one is claiming for that here in Montevideo, because the only responsible here is Luis. Concluding…I don’t think there is a campaign against Suarez, but I believed they influenced a lot on FIFA’s decision, which I believed they exaggerated. (Not in the games ban (9), but in all the rest).
The problem that I have is this is the third occasion. The press can say that he comes from a humble background and there is pent up anger, but, how many footballers come from humble beginnings? The best striker and assist player in the world is a worldwide figure and role model, he cannot do this.
Diego, I can see what you're saying with the dangerous kicks of course, there are many and also that it is a strong ban but I think the authorities want to say that using teeth to attack an opponent has no place in football.
I am in complete agreement!
nice post mr, thanks a lot