EXCLUSIVE: Luis Suarez’s legacy in England is ‘disrespected’ according to a former Premier League legend, 13 years after he disgracefully bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic
14:54, 21 Apr 2026
Luis Suarez
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Luis Suarez has a controversial reputation in England
It’s 13 years to the day that Luis Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
The former Liverpool striker sank his teeth into the arm of the Serb, who pushed him away and complained to referee Kevin Friend that he had been bitten inside the penalty area. Suarez was not sent off on the pitch but was slapped with a retrospective 10-game ban by The FA.
Suarez’s reputation as a cheat and diver in English football went beyond his on-pitch morals after he was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in 2011. Suarez was given an eight-game ban and a £40,000 fine but was left bemused about his punishment and later refused to shake Evra’s hand the following season.
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Luis Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool also found themselves heavily criticised after they wore t-shirts in support of Suarez in the immediate aftermath of the racism row, a decision that former Reds players have apologised for.
Among other situations that have completely overshadowed the Uruguayan’s brilliant ability, he was banned for one match after making an offensive gesture towards Fulham fans, and he was seen stamping on David Jones during a game against Wigan Athletic in 2012.
Speaking to the Daily Star, via the popular iGaming site Casino Guru, known for its thorough UK casino list and in-depth reviews, Suarez’s compatriot and former Chelsea and Tottenham star Gus Poyet said Suarez is disrespected in England.
Luis Suarez - Patrice Evra
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Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
He said: “No, he doesn’t get the full respect he deserved in England because of the stamping incident, which is a shame as Suarez was incredible for the time he was at Liverpool.
“Ask any defender who played against him at that time and I am very sure they were glad he left as he caused them many problems with his goal scoring.
“I am sure if you ask any Liverpool fan around the world about Suarez, there is so many positive emotions which come up and that is the most important is that you give your all and leave a positive thought from your hard work and goals.”
Luis Suarez
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Luis Suarez scored 31 goals in the 2013/14 season(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
During his time at Liverpool while playing for Uruguay, Suarez punched Chile defender Gonzalo Jara in the face and bit Italy international Giorgio Chiellini – the third time in his career he had bitten an opponent after chomping on PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal in 2010 while playing for Ajax.
Showing that a wolf may lose its teeth but never its nature, Suarez was banned just last year for stamping and spitting in the face of Seattle Sounders security director Gene Ramirez while playing for Inter Miami.
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Suarez left Liverpool in 2014 to join Barcelona after being slapped with four month ban, ending his three-and-a-half years on Merseyside with a brilliant return of 82 goals in 133 games.
The striker won the 2013/14 Premier League Player Of The Season award after scoring 31 goals in 33 league matches. However, his controversies have destroyed his character in the eyes of many English football fans.