• World Cup

'Sons of bitches have given Suarez fascist ban'

Suarez was handed a four-month ban after his attack on Giorgio Chiellini © Getty Images

Enlarge

The Uruguayan President has branded FIFA "a bunch of old sons of bitches" in the latest outraged response in his country to the ban imposed on Luis Suarez for biting.

Jose Mujica, a well-loved figure in Uruguayan politics, waded into the debate after Suarez was suspended by FIFA from all football-related activity for four months following his bite on Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's 1-0 World Cup group win over Italy last week.

Barcelona want bite of Suarez pie

• Barcelona remain keen on signing Suarez despite the striker's four-month ban from all football-related activity.
  
  The Spanish giants want Suarez to publicly apologise for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini and would consider inserting clauses in his contract, allowing them to punish him if he were to repeat his actions.
  
  Liverpool are yet to formally comment on the situation but are thought to be willing to offload the striker for a fee of around £80 million, making Suarez one of the most expensive players in history.
  
  If Suarez does make the move to the Nou Camp, he will miss fewer games than if he stays at Anfield. The Spanish season kicks off on August 23, seven days after the Premier League.

With Suarez already back home in Uruguay, his side were eliminated from the tournament by a 2-0 defeat to Colombia in the last 16 on Saturday.

At the reception to mark the rest of the squad's return to their home country Mujica, popular due to his humble lifestyle, was asked by a reporter for his thoughts on football's world governing body.

Video of the incident shows Mujica saying "FIFA are just a bunch of old sons of bitches", before putting his hand over his mouth pretending to be shocked at what he said.

When the journalist asks if he can publish the quotes Mujica, 79, replies: "Yes, publish." Later in the short video he returns to add: "They could have punished [Suarez], but not given him this fascist ban."

The ban has sparked anger among the Suarez's fellow countrymen, with Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez resigning from his FIFA role in protest and newspapers accusing Italy and England of "crucifying" the striker.

Suarez, who has twice been banned for similar biting incidents, claimed in a defence to FIFA that the incident has been completely misunderstood - maintaining implausibly that he simply lost his balance and accidentally collided with Chiellini's shoulder.

The ban means Liverpool forward Suarez will miss at least 12 games of the domestic season and the club are understood to be considering legal action against FIFA.

But while Liverpool are yet to make a formal comment on Suarez's future, former director of football Damien Comolli has joined the chorus of support for the striker.

"Who do you replace him with? There is nobody like him around," Comolli told BBC Radio 5 Live. "If there was a buying club and they felt Liverpool would sell, they will take advantage and try to drive the price down."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd