Picture: Luis Suarez taking a shot at the goal

Word Count: 539

Draft 3 (Final)/Issue 1
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Luis Suarez, his Teeth, and the Ballon Dor Snub
BY: JUSTIN CHANG
If we are talking about strikers not guys who score a lot of goals from anywhere- then I would
say the best in the world is Luis Suarez, said retired Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry, in an
interview with Daily Mail.
While playing for Liverpool FC during the 2013-2014 season (2013-2014), Suarez was an
absolute menace. He was dreaded by the defenders of opponent teams as he drove past the
defensive line put the ball at the back of the net. He was standing at the top with the two greatest
players of this generation, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He was one of the best.
That is, before his little misdemeanor.
It was June 24, 79 minutes into the Italy vs. Uruguay 2014 World Cup match. In a 0 to 0
deadlock, both teams were in a frenzy to score. While attempting to receive a cross, Luis Suarez
and Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini clashed into each other. In the spur of the moment, Suarez
took a bite at Chiellinis shoulder.
Sure, this was indeed negligent behaviour by Suarez and he should be punished, which he was
with a 4 month ban in any football related activity. But what was appalling was that his
punishment carried on to an year-long award like the Ballon Dor (Golden Ball) and cost him his
well-deserved place in the 23 man shortlist.
The Ballon Dor award is the most prestigious of all football awards that can be given to a
player. It is awarded every season to the footballer who has shown the greatest performance in
the eyes of the Fdration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
Much shock swept across the football community with the exclusion of Suarez from the Ballon
Dor shortlist, many showing great disapproval of FIFAs verdict. Was his performance in any
way affected by his biting? Did he magically become incompetent the moment he bit Chiellini?
I don't believe it is fair, if you are judging on football- and that's surely what it is because it is
called the Golden Ball, not the Golden Ball and Mouth. said Brendan Rodgers, current manager
of Liverpool and former coach of Suarez. I dont know the histories of all the players on the

shortlist but I'm sure some of them had been guilty of misdemeanours somewhere along the
way.
FIFAs punishment was severe. The fact is, Suarez is an extraordinary player, even with his
biting. There can be no denial that he still is one of the most decorated players of last season.
Suarez was the top scorer for the Barclays Premier League last season, scoring an incredible 31
goals in 33 games. He received numerous awards including the PFA Player of the year, Premier
League Golden Boot and the Barclay's Premier League Player of the Season Award. He shared
the European Golden Shoe with Ronaldo and became the seventh player in Premier League
history to score 30 or more goals in one season.
But these glittering records were nullified by just one incident. The quality of Suarezs
performance last season, scoring hat tricks away and home, should be rewarded. From shot after
shot and goal after goal, Suarez proved himself to be one of the best, that is, until FIFA kicked
him off the Ballon Dor shortlist.
Give the man the place he deserves: in the top 23.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3871/fifa-ballon-dor/2014/11/02/5713901/its-not-the-goldenball-and-mouth-rodgers-blasts-suarez
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/fifa-luis-suarez-ballon-dor-snub
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/luis-suarez-not-running-ballon-4521298