Suarez apologizes for biting Chiellini at World Cup

Veronica Sardon, dpa 

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez apologized to Giorgio Chiellini on Monday, admitting for the first time that he had bitten the Italian defender during a World Cup match.

"The truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me," Suarez posted on Twitter. "I deeply regret what occurred."

"I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family," he said.

Suarez, who had served two previous bans for biting opponents, was banned by football's world governing body FIFA for nine international matches and four months from all football over the incident. He had denied the bite during a FIFA investigation.

"I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like (that)," Suarez wrote.

Chiellini, who had already said last week that he thought the ban was excessive, replied to Suarez's apology soon afterwards, also via Twitter.

"It's all forgotten. I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension," the Italy defender said.

Suarez was banned from the Uruguayan delegation on Thursday and went back to Uruguay. His team-mates were eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday after a 2-0 defeat against Colombia in the round of 16.