Luis Suarez a Victim of FIFA 'Corruption': Players' Union
Luis Suarez, a hero in Uruguay, was suspended by FIFA during the World Cup in Brazil last year for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Luis Suarez was "a victim" of the alleged widespread corruption roiling FIFA so his international suspension for biting should be lifted, Uruguay's football players' union said Thursday.
"If Luis Suarez agrees, we will request the end of his suspension on grounds that he was suspended by an organization suspected of corruption," the Uruguayan Professional Footballers' Mutual Association said on its official Twitter account. (Sepp Blatter asked to resign amidst FIFA scandal)
"He was without a doubt the victim of this ALLEGED corruption," it said, after nine former and current top football officials were charged in a sweeping investigation involving more than $150 million in bribes for World Cup hosting rights, broadcast contracts and other lucrative football decisions. (Diego Maradona Cheers FIFA Arrests)
Barcelona forward Suarez, a hero in Uruguay, was suspended by FIFA during the World Cup in Brazil last year for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. (FIFA Presidential Election Should be Postponed: UEFA)
The nine-match suspension from international duty sent him home from the World Cup, where Uruguay crashed out in their next match, and will also sideline him from this year's Copa America in Chile. (World Soccer's worst day: Luis Figo)
The seven football officials arrested in a dawn raid Wednesday on a Zurich luxury hotel include Uruguay's Eugenio Figueredo, who is executive vice president of FIFA and former president of both the Uruguayan Football Association and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).