Luis Suarez: A Career in Controversy

By (Featured Columnist) on January 7, 2013

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Luis Suarez appeared to handle the ball before scoring Liverpool's winning goal at Mansfield Town.
Clive Mason/Getty Images

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is again under the spotlight after his goal in the club's 2-1 FA Cup third-round win at Mansfield Town on Sunday.

The Uruguay international appeared to handle the ball as he scored the Anfield team's second goal after Daniel Sturridge had opened his account early in the game.

However, Matt Green clawed a goal back for Mansfield in the 79th minute, which, without Suarez's winner, would have earned the non-league side a lucrative replay on Merseyside.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers defended Suarez's actions after the game, but it is not the first time the forward has been at the centre of controversy during his career.

Here we look at some of the striker's previous moments of controversy.

Is Suarez a victim or a perpetrator? Let us know what you think below.

Uruguay vs. Ghana, 2010 World Cup Quarterfinal

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez handled on the line to deny Ghana a place in the 2010 World Cup semifinals.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez handled on the line to deny Ghana a place in the 2010 World Cup semifinals.
Michael Steele/Getty Images

With Uruguay and Ghana heading for extra time in their 2010 World Cup quarterfinal after Diego Forlan had cancelled out Sulley Muntari's opening goal, the African side thought they had scored a late winner.

Dominic Adiyah rose in the area to head toward goal with Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera stranded after a goalmouth scramble. But Suarez pushed the ball away on the goal-line with his arm.

The striker was dismissed, but Asamoah Gyan then missed the subsequent penalty, and Uruguay eventually won in a penalty shootout.

Suarez claimed after the match that he had "the real hand of God," referencing Diego Maradona's infamous handball against England in the 1986 World Cup finals.

Ajax vs. PSV Eindhoven, Eredivisie

Luis Suarez bit an opponent during his time with Ajax.
Luis Suarez bit an opponent during his time with Ajax.
Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

After Ajax's Rasmus Lindgren was shown a straight red for a crude challenge on PSV Eindhoven playmaker Ibrahim Afellay, Luis Suarez squared up to midfielder Otman Bakkal.

Bakkal appeared to stand on the Uruguay international's foot, which prompted Suarez to move towards his opponent and bite his shoulder.

Suarez was given a seven-match suspension by the Dutch Football Federation, who took into account a one-match ban for his dismissal in a game earlier in the season.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United, Premier League

Luis Suarez challenges Patrice Evra at Anfield in October 2011.
Luis Suarez challenges Patrice Evra at Anfield in October 2011.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Javier Hernandez scored an 81st-minute equalizer, as Manchester United claimed a point at Liverpool in October 2011. But the game faded into history once Patrice Evra made racism allegations against Luis Suarez.

After a month-long investigation into the incident, the Uruguayan striker was hit with an eight-match suspension and a £40,000 fine for racially abusing the France international.

Rather than consigning the incident to the history books, Suarez reignited the racism row when he did not shake hands with Evra before the return league fixture at Old Trafford.

The incident prompted a furious reaction from United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and a pro-Suarez rant from former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish.

Fulham vs. Liverpool, Premier League

Luis Suarez made a gesture to Fulham fans after the game at Craven Cottage last season.
Luis Suarez made a gesture to Fulham fans after the game at Craven Cottage last season.
Scott Heavey/Getty Images

With the Football Association still looking into the racism row, Luis Suarez was again involved in controversy when he made an inappropriate gesture to Fulham supporters during a league match at Craven Cottage in December 2011.
Suarez had failed to win a penalty after going down under a challenge from Fulham defender Brede Hangeland and was taunted by the home supporters.
However, as he left the field, the forward raised his finger towards the Fulham fans and earned a one-match ban from the FA.

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