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 Uruguayan professional footballer renowned as one of the best strikers of his generation. Playing as a striker for Inter Miami, Suárez has earned the nickname "El Pistolero" and boasts an impressive individual trophy collection, including two European Golden Shoes, an Eredivisie Golden Boot, a Premier League Golden Boot, and a Pichichi Trophy. He ranks among the top South American goalscorers in international football, having scored 69 goals for Uruguay. With over 600 career goals and 300 assists for club and country, Suárez has had a prolific and decorated career.

Sections (6)

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

November 2010: Biting Incident

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

2010: Handball against Ghana

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Ghana, in 2010, Luis Suárez blocked a shot with his hands during extra time, preventing a potential goal. He was sent off, but Ghana missed the subsequent penalty.

October 2011: Racial Abuse Accusation

On 15 October 2011, Suárez was accused of racially abusing Evra, leading to an FA investigation, denial of claims, and subsequent charge.

January 2013: Handball Controversy in FA Cup

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, sparking controversy.

April 2013: Suárez bites Branislav Ivanović during Chelsea match

In April 2013, during a Premier League match against Chelsea, Luis Suárez bit Branislav Ivanović. This incident, the second time Suárez had bitten an opponent, led to significant controversy and a ten-game ban from the FA, following calls for strict action. Suárez was also fined by his club. The panel criticised Suárez for not appreciating "the seriousness" of the incident when he argued against a long ban.

December 2013: Ranked among "dirtiest footballers"

In December 2013, Suárez was ranked fifth in El Gol Digital's list of the world's dirtiest footballers due to his diving, biting, stamping, and other controversial antics.

2014: Ban from FIFA 15

Due to his bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, players in FIFA 15 were unable to select Suárez until his ban ended on 26 October.

2014: Biting Giorgio Chiellini

During a Group D match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Luis Suárez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. As a result, in 2014, FIFA suspended Suárez from all football activities for 4 months.

2014: Suárez misses part of the 2014 World Cup through suspension

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

2014: Suárez banned for biting incident at 2014 FIFA World Cup

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. He was also banned from entering any stadium. The CAS upheld the FIFA ban but removed the "football-related activities" ban, allowing him to train with Barcelona.

2015: Suárez banned from participating in the 2015 Copa América

As a result of the ban from the biting incident at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Luis Suárez was banned from participating in the 2015 Copa América.

2015: Suárez misses the entire 2015 Copa América through suspension

For Uruguay, Suárez previously missed the entire 2015 Copa América through suspension.

2018: Changes to Italian citizenship laws

In 2018, Italian laws were changed to make obtaining citizenship by marriage more difficult, a fact that contributed to the controversy surrounding Suárez's attempt to gain Italian citizenship in 2020.

September 2020: Italian citizenship test controversy

In September 2020, Luis Suárez flew to Perugia to take an Italian language exam to gain Italian citizenship, due to his marriage to an Italian citizen. An investigation was launched over accusations that he had cheated on the test and received special treatment, especially as Italian laws had been changed in 2018 to make obtaining citizenship by marriage more difficult.

2025: Stomping and spitting incident

Following Inter Miami's loss in the 2025 Leagues Cup final, Suárez stomped on the foot of and spat in the face of a security director. He was fined and suspended by both the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee and Major League Soccer.