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GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) —
The players' union and football's governing body agree on one thing in the wake of the heavy ban imposed on Luis Suarez for his third biting incident: the Uruguay and Liverpool striker needs help.
Suarez returned to Montevideo early Friday, arriving too late to see the hundreds of Uruguay fans who had gathered the previous night to give him a hero's welcome despite his World Cup banishment.
In Rio de Janeiro, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said a third biting incident in Suarez's career was "unacceptable."
"I think he should find a way to stop doing it — he should go through a treatment," Valcke told reporters at Maracana Stadium, where Uruguay plays Colombia in a Round-of-16 match on Saturday.
RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
RECIFE, Brazil (AP) —
Now that the U.S. has survived the so-called "Group of Death," it's time for sudden death: the knockout phase of the World Cup.
The Americans play Belgium on Tuesday night in the round of 16, hoping to show they're better than the U.S. team that lost in overtime to Ghana in the second round four years ago.
"By no means are we satisfied with just getting out of the group," midfielder Graham Zusi said Sunday after the Americans advanced despite a 1-0 loss to Germany. "We want to keep going and make some history."
GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) —
Luis Suarez exits the World Cup with one of the longest bans in tournament history, and his reputation once again in tatters.
The Uruguay forward, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, was banned by FIFA from all football for four months on Thursday for biting an Italian opponent in an incident that marred the team's victory and progression to the second round.
It's the third time he's served a suspension for biting an opponent — after similar incidents at both Ajax in the Dutch league and Liverpool in England — and the second straight World Cup where Suarez exits in disgrace.