Sponsors Bite Back In Suarez Backlash
Following his four-month football ban from FIFA, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has lost a personal sponsor after his punishment, which also includes a nine-game ban from the national team and a fine, for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Online gambling firm 888poker said in a statement on its website: ‘888poker signed Luis Suarez following a fantastic season for which his achievements were widely recognised. Regrettably, following his actions during Uruguay’s World Cup match against Italy on Tuesday, 888poker has decided to terminate its relationship with Luis Suarez with immediate effect.’
Meanwhile, adidas will also warn Luis Suarez over his conduct for the second time in 18 months.
The sports brand will hold talks with Suarez next month regarding their £1million sponsorship deal and could reportedly terminate their agreement.
An adidas statement read: ‘Adidas fully supports FIFA’s decision. Adidas certainly does not condone Luis Suarez’s recent behaviour and we will again be reminding him of the high standards we expect from our players.’
‘We have no plan to use Suarez for any additional marketing activities during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.’
As a result of the ban from the sport’s governing body, FIFA, the Liverpool player cannot play for either club or country until the end of October, and will also miss the rest of the World Cup in Brazil.
The 27 year-old was judged to have bitten Chiellini on the shoulder towards the end of Tuesday’s group game, which Uruguay eventually won 1-0 to qualify for the next stage.
Suarez denied the allegations, claiming the defender had bumped into him, but FIFA ultimately decided to hand him the longest ban in World Cup history.
Uruguay, whose football officials say they plan to appeal against the suspension, are due to play Colombia in the last 16 on Saturday after qualifying from Group D behind Costa Rica.
