Luis Suarez just couldn't resist a tasty Italian, it seems.
The Uruguay forward is accused of biting Italy's Ciorgio Chiellini on the shoulder about 80 minutes into the match as the scoreline stood at nil all. Moments later skipper Diego Godin scored to take Uruguay into the round of 16 with a 1-0 win.
Suarez faces possible disciplinary action after FIFA announced it would investigate the alleged bite. But Twitter's peanut gallery has not reserved judgment, laying into Suarez will equal measures of shock, outrage and customary wit.
Just woken up to the news, Luis Suarez is in trouble again for biting.He couldn't resist a tasty Italian.
— jason kavanagh (@jaykav74) June 24, 2014
Can you imagine if Luis Suarez bit LeBron James? They'd create entire news channels just for that.
— Cristian Nyari (@Cnyari) June 24, 2014
Suarez should hire Rebekah Brooks lawyers to get off this one
— charlie whelan (@charliewhelan) June 24, 2014
Luis Suarez hopes to play against Germany later on in the tournament, because he'd like to try a shoulder of Lahm.
— pressuredrop (@ljeko67) June 24, 2014
Many viewers were angry Suarez had not been sent off immediately. Chiellini drew attention to the bite marks by peeling back his shirt and protesting loudly to the referee, but no action was taken. After the match he told media: "It was ridiculous not to send Suarez off. It is clear, clear-cut."
When it comes to biting, Suarez has form. He got his teeth sunk into Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last April, for which he received a 10-match ban. In 2010, he was banned for seven matches and fined by his then club Ajax after biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal.
In a pre-cup "players to watch" piece, satirical news site The Onion had listed Suarez's strengths as: "Knows racial slurs in nine languages; sharp molars in lower jaw; obliviousness to social norms and basic human decency allows him to really focus on playing soccer."
Seriously Luis Suarez!! Stop bloody biting people!! You're a world class player but ruin that reputation by being a top class bell end.
— Joey (@ITFC_Joe) June 24, 2014
"If you can't beat them, EAT THEM" -Luis Suarez
— TroubledItalian™ (@TroubledItalian) June 24, 2014
BREAKING: Mike Tyson offers to take Luis Suárez to lunch.
— Warren Holstein (@WarrenHolstein) June 24, 2014
Respect to Luis Suarez, who came from a small island of cannibals to advance to the knockout stage in the World Cup.
— christian (@SquidDad) June 24, 2014
The bite soon went viral, with the hashtags #BanSuarez and #cannibal soon trending around the world.
Then, of course, came the vampire memes, which invariably compared Suarez to a vampire or dog.
He cheats, He dives, He'll eat your hands and thighs, Luis Suarez, Luis Suarez!
— World Cup Guru (@WCGuruApp) June 24, 2014
Luis Suarez' panini sticker collection has been found...
— Just Football (@JustFutball) June 24, 2014
Luis Suarez has been told he has to wear this for the rest of the tournament. #WorldCup #WorldCup2014 pic.twitter.com/S3qG78llBa
— World Cup Bruh (@WorldCupBruh) June 24, 2014
The response from commentators and sports officials has been bruising. The UK Telegraph ran a headline urging FIFA to "ban this monster", and sports writer Jim White said the incident was self-destructive and shows Suarez "needs help". Guardian sports writer Paolo Bandini said Suarez's third bite was "disappointing" and would cost him dearly.
FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said the incident will be investigated but it seemed Suarez's actions had left him open to "severe criticism".
There were, however, at least a few who were prepared to look on the bright side.
Thank you @luis16suarez for your actions. This has taken the focus off the shambolic England performance durin this world cup. #getsomehelp
— Haaanz (@anism1) June 24, 2014
And there were several people who profited from the bizarre Suarez action. It was reported that online gambling site Betsson took 167 bets on Suarez biting a player at the World Cup, at the odds of 175-1. The biggest payout was $3300 (US) to a canny Norwegian.
Someone in Norway bet on #Suarez biting someone at the #worldcup pic.twitter.com/MDmVp89LOD
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