Liverpool managing director, Ian Ayre, has confirmed Luis Suarez has been fined but will not be sold this summer following his bite on Branislav Ivanovic.
The now infamous chomp-down resulted in Liverpool fining the player an undisclosed amount of money believed to range between two to four weeks’ wages, or $300,000 to $600,000. The money will go directly to the Hillsborough Family Support Group and Liverpool will take no further action against the player meaning any suspension will be levied by the Football Association.
Ayre explained that the club is working on improving the Uruguyan’s behaviour. When asked whether the bite incident will affect Suarez’ furture at the Kop, Ayre replied: “Not at all. It affects his future in the sense that we have to work with him on his discipline. But Luis is a very important player to the club. He’s a very popular player with his teammates. . . . This is more about getting him back on the right track and it’s largely down to Brendan [Rodgers] now to work with him on that side of his character.”
Rodgers, who refused to comment on the incident after the match, explained that he had a word with the striker regarding the incident: “Having reviewed the video footage and spoken to Luis, his behaviour is unacceptable and I have made him aware of this,” he said.
Ayre went on to explain that he feels Liverpool have done well handling this matter because they “acted swiftly” in having Suarez issue an apology and in imposing a fine. Further, Liverpool believe that working with Suarez on his issues will go a long way toward eradicating future incidents. The managing director hopes that these measures “puts the matter to rest” and that the club will now “wait and see if there’s any further action from the football authorities.”
Some will feel that given Suarez’ history, Liverpool’s reaction has been too soft. In November 2010 he was issued a seven match ban for biting the collarbone of PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal. In October 2011 he was alleged to have racially abused Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and was later found guilty and handed an eight match ban and a $60,000 fine. Ayre may talk about Rodgers’ need to “work with [Suarez] on that side of his character” but could it be that ship has already sailed?
That’s the question facing the Fenway Sports Group. The Uruguayan has become a PR nightmare and for a club run by an American sports group that prides itself on character, it’s tough to see how much longer Liverpool can put up with Suarez’ antics. Rodgers has stuck by Suarez through thick and thin but how much farther will he go to defend the world-class striker before the PR overspill becomes too much of a hazard?
Some have proposed outrightly sacking the player. According to former Kop legend, John Barnes, however, such a move would be ridiculous. “If you’re questioning [Suarez’] moral character, what you’re actually saying is that if he can’t play for Liverpool he can’t play for anyone, which is ridiculous.”
Others have proposed that Liverpool should preemptively suspend Suarez before the FA issues its ban. Such a move has been utilized by clubs employing players mired in controversy, but such a proactive move could backfire into a suspension period that far exceeds what the club would originally deem necessary.
One way or another Luis Suarez continues to be a player Liverpool can’t live with and can’t live without.
