Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has expressed empathy towards Luis Suarez after he was handed a four-month ban by FIFA for biting.

Chiellini was at the centre of the controversy when Suarez sunk his teeth into the shoulder of the Italian centre-back during Uruguay's 1-0 victory in Natal at the World Cup on Tuesday.

The Juventus player accused Suarez, who has also been banned for nine international matches, for biting, but has now claimed that he no longer holds fury over the incident but is more unhappy with Italy's exit from the tournament in Brazil.

In a statement on his official website, Chiellini said: "Now inside me there's no feelings of joy, revenge or anger against Suarez for an incident that happened on the pitch and that's done. There only remain the anger and the disappointment about the match.

"At the moment my only thought is for Luis and his family, because they will face a very difficult period. I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies, but at the same time I believe that the proposed formula is excessive.

"I sincerely hope that he will be allowed, at least, to stay close to his team mates during the games because such a ban is really alienating for a player."

The Uruguayan FA has decided to stand by the striker after it confirmed that it will appeal against the sanction.

Written by
Danielle Joynson