New Post: Luis Suarez is an absolute disgrace to the game of soccer

By, Kyle Gibson

Things were already very ugly between Italy and Uruguay in today’s final group stage game of Group D. Towards the 80th minute, though, things got even uglier when Uruguay’s superstar, Luis Suarez, took a bite out of Giorgio Chiellini, one of Italy’s star defenders.

Sounds crazy right? Who in their right mind would bite another player? This is not the first time Suarez has helped himself to a bite of succulent shoulder, though, Actually, it’s the third time.

In 2010, Suarez, then at Ajax in Amsterdam, bit PSV rival Otman Bakkal and was suspended two games.

In 2013, in a much more high profile incident, Suarez bit Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea, leading to a 10 game suspension.

Add that to today and that’s three separate incidents. That means that three times, during the course of a game of soccer, a man has bitten the shoulder of three separate players.

If you think, wow, three major incidents for one player is a lot, that’s not the end of the controversy for Suarez.

In the 2010 World Cup, in the quarterfinals against Ghana, Suarez blatantly handled a ball aimed at an empty Uruguay net late in the game. Suarez earned a red card, but the damage was done. Ghana was denied a great chance to score  and lost due to a cheap trick, an abomination against soccer. Uruguay, without Suarez, went on to lose the semifinal.

Also, in 2011, Suarez was charged by the FA for “abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour contrary to FA rules” for an apparent racial abuse of Manchester United’s Patrice Evra during a match. Suarez was suspended eight games and forced to pay a $40,000 fine.

Suarez is an amazingly talented player who, when simply playing and not disparaging the game, is one of the best attacking players on earth. Even though he signed a 5 year deal with Liverpool earlier this year, Suarez is being looked at by two of the world’s top clubs, Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona. One has to wonder if they will still be interested now.

Why would a player with such gifts stoop so low? Is it just part of his nature, or his reaction when his temper hits boiling point? We may never know that answer.

I think FIFA needs to show resolve here and ban Luis Suarez for the remainder of the World Cup. His actions have cast the entire sport in a negative light. FIFA has to send a message to a childish, petulant player who despite his talent, comes off as a very little man with attitude issues.

Bite that, Luis.

English Soccer: When Assessing Your World Cup Failures, Take a Look in the mirror

By, Kyle Gibson

Another World Cup, another disappointment for the English national team. This time, England did face a tough couple of games in Group D that would knock over just about any team, but the result is nowhere near the .

Mario Balotelli and Luis Suarez hit the winners for Italy and Uruguay, respectively in back to back 2-1 losses for England. Now, the chances of England qualifying for the knockout stages are in serious jeopardy. The team will have to come up big against Costa Rica and hope to squeak by on Goal difference. However, if Costa Rica and Italy draw, England will automatically be eliminated.

When it turns inward and looks for answers again, the English players, brain-trust and punditry need to look at one place, the mirror.

The answer that is in plain sight is not an easy one to accept, but it’s true. England is simply not as good as everyone in England thinks it is. This is blunt, but I believe it to be true. It’s also something England fans need to hear.

Look at the starting lineup England rolled out for both England and Uruguay. Those players are stars in the EPL, but many of them mostly because they are English.

Would Joe Hart come anywhere near starting if there was a better option? At times, Hart has looked miserable in the England shirt.

The back line is nowhere near top class. Leighton Baines and Glen Johnson were mince meat in the Italy game, while Luis Suarez carved Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka apart Thursday.

I’m really not sure what Roy Hodgson has done with the midfield, which was a jumbled mess in the first two games. Steven Gerrard was praised this year for taking a lesser role with Liverpool. Less, for Gerrard this World Cup, has definitely not been more. Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling, as well as Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana, are young guns who should not be judged on this World Cup performance. Actually, Sterling is probably the lone bright spot for England, even though he slightly disappeared in the Uruguay game.

The real confusion in the midfield came from starting both Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney in midfield roles behind Daniel Sturridge. Rooney can play and thrive in a central midfield role, but he played on the left side for much of the Italy game, Rooney also struggles in the World Cup. Even though he scored the lone goal in the Uruguay game, I don’t think it makes up for his poor play against Italy. Danny Welbeck’s inclusion was beyond confusing.

The lineup didn’t gel, the results went the wrong way and England will not be one of the two teams to advance from the group. This isn’t due to fates or tactics, though. It’s because England is not one of the best teams in the group.

Even the best players for England aren’t the best players in the EPL. England, take a look in the mirror. You are not as good as you think you are.