Major Controversies Surrounding Luis Suárez: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Luis Suárez.

Luis Suárez is a highly acclaimed Uruguayan professional footballer, currently playing as a striker for Inter Miami. Considered one of Uruguay's greatest footballers and one of the best strikers of his generation, he's nicknamed "El Pistolero". Suárez boasts an impressive record, including two European Golden Shoes, an Eredivisie Golden Boot, a Premier League Golden Boot, and a Pichichi Trophy. He ranks fourth among all-time South American top goalscorers in international football with 69 goals. Throughout his career, he has scored over 600 goals and provided over 300 assists for both club and country.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

November 2010: Suárez bit Otman Bakkal

On 20 November 2010, Luis Suárez bit PSV's Otman Bakkal on the shoulder during a 0–0 draw, resulting in a suspension and fine.

2010: Handball against Ghana in World Cup

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Ghana, Suárez blocked a goal-bound header with his hands in extra time. He was sent off, and Ghana was awarded a penalty. Had the penalty been converted, Ghana would have advanced to the semi-finals.

October 2011: Suárez Accused of Racially Abusing Evra

On 15 October 2011, after a 1–1 draw against Manchester United, Suárez was accused of racially abusing Evra, leading to an FA investigation.

October 2012: Diving Incident Against Stoke City

In October 2012, Suárez dove against Stoke City in a match.

January 2013: Admission of Diving

In January 2013, Suárez admitted to diving against Stoke City in an October 2012 match, leading to internal disciplinary action by his club manager, Brendan Rodgers.

January 2013: Suárez handled the ball

On 6 January 2013, Suárez handled the ball before scoring the decisive goal in Liverpool's 2–1 win over Mansfield Town in an FA Cup match.

April 2013: Suárez bites Branislav Ivanović during Chelsea match

In April 2013, during a Premier League match against Chelsea, Luis Suárez bit Branislav Ivanović, marking the second time he had bitten an opponent. The incident, missed by officials, led to a ten-game ban from the FA after UK Prime Minister David Cameron called for action. The FA charged him with violent conduct and he was fined an undisclosed sum by his club. He scored an equalizer in injury time. An independent panel criticized Suárez for not appreciating the seriousness of the incident and emphasized the role model status of players.

December 2013: Ranked among the world's dirtiest footballers

In December 2013, Suárez was ranked fifth in El Gol Digital's list of the world's dirtiest footballers, owing to his diving, biting, stamping and other antics. He had frequently been labelled as a pest and a cheat, and this ranking reflects that public perception in December 2013.

2014: Biting Incident at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, during a Group D match, Luis Suárez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. As a result, FIFA suspended Suárez from all football-related activities for 4 months, which began in 2014.

2014: Ban impacted FIFA 15 availability

Due to his bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, Suárez was banned from the FIFA 15 game until October 26, 2014.

2014: Suárez Misses World Cup Due to Suspension

For Uruguay, Suárez previously missed part of the 2014 World Cup through suspension.

2014: Suárez Banned from Football-Related Activities

In 2014, Luis Suárez faced a ban from all football-related activities for four months, including training with Barcelona, due to biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The ban also prohibited him from entering any stadium. Although the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the ban imposed by FIFA, they removed the "football-related activities" restriction, allowing him to train with Barcelona.

2015: Suárez Banned from Copa América

Due to the ban resulting from the biting incident at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Luis Suárez was prohibited from participating in the 2015 Copa América.

2015: Suarez FIFA Ban

In 2015, Suárez's ban from international matches was carried over, ruling him out of the 2015 Copa América. 888poker cancelled its sponsorship deal with Suárez.

2018: Simulation During World Cup Game

During the 2018 World Cup game against Portugal, Suárez twice acted like he had a head injury despite his head having been untouched, further fueling accusations of diving.

September 2020: Took Italian language exam amid citizenship investigation

In September 2020, Suárez took a B1 Italian Language exam in Perugia to gain Italian citizenship, despite accusations of special treatment and an ongoing investigation into alleged cheating to obtain citizenship.

February 2025: MLS Disciplinary Committee Fine

In February 2025, Suárez and Lionel Messi were fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for violating the league's hands to the face/head/neck policy during a match against New York City FC. Suárez grabbed the back of the neck of New York City FC player Birk Risa during an argument. Despite the fine, they played against Sporting KC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, winning 3–1.

2025: Stomping and Spitting Incident in Leagues Cup Final

Following Inter Miami's loss in the 2025 Leagues Cup final, Suárez stomped on the foot of and spat in the face of the Sounders security director, Gene Ramirez. This behavior in 2025 was widely condemned, leading to a fine and suspension from the Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer.

2025: Brawl and Suspension in Leagues Cup Final

In 2025, during the Leagues Cup final between Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders, Suárez was involved in a brawl after the full-time whistle, leading to him putting Obed Vargas in a headlock and spitting on Sounders security director Gene Ramirez.

2026: Suspension and Contract Extension

In 2026, Suárez received suspensions for his actions during the 2025 Leagues Cup final. On October 12, he scored his 600th career goal, and on December 17, he signed a one-year contract extension after winning the MLS Cup.