Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez has issued an apology to Italy defender Giorgio Chiellilni for biting him in the World Cup match between Italy and Uruguay.
Suarez has since been banned for nine international matches and from all footballing activity for four months.
The Uruguayan appeared to bite the defender on the shoulder with Uruguay in danger of being eliminated.
Uruguay eventually won the match were eliminated by Colombia in the second round.
Suarez has now apologised for his action saying the bite was as a result of a collision with Chiellini�s shoulder.
A statement released by the player read:
�After several days of being home with my family I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect about the the reality of what occurred during the Italy-Uruguay match on 24 June 2014.
�Independent from the fallout and the contradicting declarations that have surfaced during these past days, all of which have been without the intention of interfering with the good performance of my national team, the truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me.
�For this I deeply regret what occurred. I apologise to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like this.�
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