abundance wrote: DD wrote:Personally, I think his punishment is too harsh. I'm not defending him, but biting another person is clearly a lapse of judgement - a brain fart. He's hardwired that way to lash out in frustration - he needs psychiatric help more than a token multiple months punishment.
And I'd keep it simpler.
You play a pro sport where the rules say you can't do certain things on the field, among them a really silly and juvenile thing that almost nobody even think of doing.
And you do that not once, not twice, but thrice.
It's hilarious but hey, if you want so badly to be punished, here's your seat.
Perhaps too simple.
Everyone is in agreement that he should be punished. And he will. The punishment is what people will disagree over.
You'll hear everything to from a one game ban to life-time banishment - both are laughable.
I think that the four month ban is a token punishment for different reasons. Two months would have achieved the same and sent the same message: that it will not be tolerated.
Biting is not the choice of action for any reasonable grown-up. Biting on the pitch with a gazillion cameras and your name already in discredit as a cheater (and a two-time biter) is even worse. While biting brings any sport in discredit, the action and consequences are relatively innocuous compared to harsher offenses like stamping, elbows, two-footed tackles or going in studs-first. Many which are much cynical, solely intend on injuring the opponent and have shortened/ended many carreers already.
Biting (unless its solely to inflict major harm, like Tyson) is foremost a showing of unsportsmanship by lashing out. That's what Suarez is guilty of here. Unsportsmanship, not grave bodily harm or cheating.
The rest of us, we learned from an early age that biting's not acceptable. Adults who bite as an action of frustration need to be re-hardwired, or they will relapse when majorly frustrated again.
I disagree with the easy "Hey if you wanted to be punished" mentality. Suarez didn't plan this ahead, and he definitely wouldn't think he would get away with biting. No one gets away with biting on the pitch. And it's not that he didn't gave a fuck. Suarez cares too much. And that's why he relapsed.
Yesterday I jokingly said something like:"Haven't we all bitten someone in the heat moment on the pitch?". For us it's ridiculous, for Suarez it's a reality. He bites impulsively: He doesn't aim for ears, noses or fingers - he lashes out at shoulders and an upper arm. Nobody hates being (and known as) a biter more than Suarez. His shameful postgame interview:"These things happen" says it all.
I also disagree with over the top Draconian punishments. People who are clamouring for long bans are not thinking logically - and that's a lot of you. Suarez is easy to hate for many reasons, but there's a lot of self-rightiousness everywhere. I heard even Rio, who I was shocked to find out he has a cosy position in the FA now, is chipping with his troofs. I think this here will give a good reasoning why despite his England performances he should never open his mouth again on matters of respect and discredit http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2634265/Jimmy-Bullard-got-better-coaching-non-League-Fabio-Postman-Pat-Capello-England.html Lad culture is a-okay.
On to the token punishment by FIFA. While having someone bite on the world stage is not an advertisement for the game, this is FIFA's chance to puff their chest and show the world that they're the upholders of morals, ethics, decency and fairness
. Four months doesn't resolve anything, the offense gets punished too harshly, the message that biting is not allowed doesn't affect anyone who isn't an impulsive biter - who wouldnt be affected by this either, and Suarez still 'hasn't learned'. He needs an at max two months ban and most importantly, therapy.
If FIFA doesn't want a bad advertisement of the game, they should apply retroactive cards/bans, proper penalties given and eliminate diving/play-acting. That's bad advertisement for the game that happens multiple times every game.
EDIT: even though I'm quoting you Abundance, I'm referring to the mentality in general, not attacking you. Also, I'm aware that the majority of people think differently, and I'm not looking to convert those 'sticking by their guns'. Just giving my opinion on this matter. Hope it made some sense.
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