Why is Luis Suarez being charged with assault?

[Unix]

An injury which occurs in line with the sport and is something to be expected is one thing (like when I took a steel mace across the face when someone misjudged his swing). However, doing a sport does not mean you are immune to law.

If we were in a boxing match and I fractured your skull with a crowbar would you think I should be arrested?

Yes, but a small bite to the shoulder is hardly the same is it.

[SimonMac]

He bit someone and caused damage. They have video evidence and witnesses.

The biting is nothing to do with football so it is not part of the game.

How come he has not being arrested for assault?

Because no criminal complaint has been made

[MyUserName]

Yes, but a small bite to the shoulder is hardly the same is it.

So you agree that there is a point at which injuring someone outside of the rules is legally actionable in even the roughest sport?

Because no criminal complaint has been made

I thought they did not need a criminal complaint in cases where guilt was obvious as the police can prosecute it themselves, or am I mistaken (IANAL)?

[BrilloPad]

The money these guys earn they have moral responsibilities to youngsters who worship them.

Ops. I forget. People of this forum only care about rights - not responsibilities.

[Gittins Gal]

Not condoning his behaviour by any means but its not a level playing field between different sports.

Look at the thuggish behaviour exhibited by rugby players. Eye gouging, biting, fist fights - yet it's generally swept under the carpet or punished quite lenienty.

As soon as a football player does something, everyone's over the player like a rash.

[barrydidit]

World governing body Fifa have imposed a record nine-match ban on Uruguay striker Luis Suarez for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The independent disciplinary committee imposed the suspension after finding the 27-year-old guilty of misconduct.

Suarez has also been banned from all football for four months.

Linky

[SimonMac]

Suarez 9 match ban from Uruguay games and 4 month world wide ban form all formats of the game

[Mich the Tester]

Not condoning his behaviour by any means but its not a level playing field between different sports.

Look at the thuggish behaviour exhibited by rugby players. Eye gouging, biting, fist fights - yet it's generally swept under the carpet or punished quite lenienty.

As soon as a football player does something, everyone's over the player like a rash.

Eye gouging and biting are viewed very differently to fist fights in rugby; I think you'll find most players support very long bans for gouging and biting but understand that in a physical game, the odd fist might be thrown if someone loses his temper. Unfortunately the IRB has let people off too easily at times and there is no condoning the weak mindedness of some officials.

[Mich the Tester]

Suarez 9 match ban from Uruguay games and 4 month world wide ban form all formats of the game

Weak. It's the third time FFS. Should be a career ending ban, and I'd add that I think it's only fair if the match were to be replayed, considering that he shouldn't have been allowed to stay on the field. Italy were denied their opportunity by barbaric behaviour.

On the TV pictures the referee refused to even look at the Italian player's shoulder; that seems to me to be seriously irresponsible. Does the referee have no duty of care to the players?

Ban the cannibal, suspend and replace the ref and replay the match.

[MarillionFan]

You can hardly blame him. Who can resist an Italian Sub?