The Luis Suarez Judgement: One Game Only

July 3rd, 2010 | by: chris |

South Africa Soccer WCup Uruguay Ghana

For some he’s a villain, for others, especially those calling Uruguay home, he is a hero. The ball which he double-palmed off the goal line has given rise to more ethics debate than a freshman seminar with no end in sight.

But there is no debating one thing: his World Cup will continue. Either in the final or the third-placed game, he will play.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was given a one-match ban by FIFA on Saturday for the controversial last minute handball which denied Ghana a semi-final place.

The decision not to give him a stiffer sanction means he will be eligible to return for the final should Uruguay beat Netherlands in Tuesday’s first semi-final in Cape Town.

[link]

Not having Suarez for the semifinals with the Dutch is a massive loss – more so when considering that’s the country where he plays and has made his name – but they dodged a bullet should the final involve a South American team, a banner they now hold alone.

And while getting off with merely a standard suspension, Luis is also taking credit for the ‘real’ Hand of God:

“The Hand of God now belongs to me. Mine is the real Hand Of God,” said Suárez. “I made the best save of the tournament. Sometimes in training I play as a goalkeeper so it was worth it. There was no alternative but for me to do that and when they missed the penalty I thought ‘It is a miracle and we are alive in the tournament’.

“Now we are in the semi-finals although I was very sad because no one likes to be sent off. The celebration afterwards was impressive, but very quiet because nobody gave us a chance but, with courage, we move forward.”

Diego just can’t win today.

Tags: Asamoah Gyan, Ghana, Luis Suarez, Netherlands, red card, suspension, Uruguay, World Cup 2010

World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 RSS Feed

obaapa22

God will punish luis suarez. suarez u will never have peace, mark mine words.
heytre123

Please... Would you have let the ball go in? Guarantee your team's elimination? He did what any soccer player would have done in that situation.

It is too bad Ghana missed that penalty...
coconut85

I'm tired of this weak argument. No, not everyone would have done the same. There are rules that everyone should abide by, and not use them for exploitation. If we see this type of reasoning, these asinine attempts to win football games WILL occur more often and WILL lower the integrity of football more than it already has this world cup.
Gordon Overkill

Despite the pity i have on Ghana and on the whole of Aftica for not making it to the semis, I absolutely CAN'T understand how anyone could blame Suarez of beeing an unfair sportsman. There is a fixed punishment for acts such as his handball in the box. The player and the team get punished with a red card and a penalty. That's exactly what happend --> no loss of integrety for football. The rules were kept strict and precise and justice was done for the handball.
Of course the effect of the red card was rather modest for Ghana, but that's their own fault, too! If they wanted more advantage from it, they should have created the chance earlier.
That Ghana didn't take the chance of the penalty was nothing but bad luck... if they had, NOBODY would now accuse Suarez, that's for sure!
heytre123

Please... Would you have let the ball go in? Guarantee your team's elimination? He did what any soccer player would have done in that situation.

It is too bad Ghana missed that penalty...

Are you kidding me?! Weak argument? Will occur more often? Your response tells me just how much you know about this sport. This will happen every time in this situation... for those of us who watch football on a regular bases know this, and can tell you 5 of their favorite stories of times when this has happened. Yes there are rules! And there are penalties for such behavior. Suarez knew what would happen by doing what he did, and he will now happily take his suspension for it... Yes you are right, not everyone would have done it... maybe those in a over 40 coed league, or something like that. But rest assured, at this level of competition... with all that is on the line...yes any competitor would have done this.
Oli Frederick

I've been watching football almost every week for 17 years ... and I've seen people not put there hands in that situation... actually even in this world cup I've seen that...cant remember which match... Luis Suarez is a Disgrace to such a beautiful sport...and you are also for agreeing ...were Lucky to have not much YOU and Suarez's on field at a High level...
Glossema International

Obviously you're not a player. Or most probable you watch too much, and play too little. Or maybe the games you've watch are nanny games. Luis Suarez a disgrace? Please!? Are you kidding? He is a gifted football player!!! I guess you could say something... if he didn't get a red card and Ganha a penalty. But, been like it was, Suarez was really playing "fair"... in football the idea is to win (without harming people, obviously, but even a foul is accepted and you just get a yellow card). And "not to lose" makes part of trying to win. I recommend you to play more and watch less... you will understand and enjoy the game better.
Glossema International

Moreover... this kind of things are done by those who can, and not those who want to.
caot89

For fuck's sake, would you let your childhood dream get away if you had the tiniest chance to prevent it? NO! I want to see you in a World Cup quarterfinal in the last seconds of extra-time with the ball about to go over your goal-line and be like "oh man the rules say I can't handle the ball so I guess we're out, you know it's probably the only time I have a chance to get to a World Cup semifinal, but oh well, gotta stick to the rules!" YEAH RIGHT! All you people are just sore about the fact that the last african team is out.
Andrew

I guess every player should start using his hands to guarantee that his team wins regardless of the position they play then...I think it's even worse that suarez later has the nerve to gloat about it afterwards