Giorgio Chiellini talks about the Luis Suarez-bite, says the ban is excessive

Italy's defender Giorgio Chiellini clutches his shoulder after clashing with Uruguay forward Luis Suarez.

The much anticipated statement from Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini has been released on the player’s official website after he was bitten, or appeared to be bitten by Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez during Uruguay’s decisive group D encounter against Italy.

The statement reads, “Now inside me there's no feelings of joy, revenge or anger against Suarez for an incident that happened on the pitch and that's done. There only remain the anger and the disappointment about the match. At the moment my only thought is for Luis and his family, because they will face a very difficult period.”

He continued, ”I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies, but at the same time I believe that the proposed formula is excessive. I sincerely hope that he will be allowed, at least, to stay close to his teammates during the games because such a ban is really alienating for a player.”

FIFA had earlier announced that Suarez will be banned from all football activities for four months and a further 9 international matches, after he was found in breach of art. 48 par. 1 lit. d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) (assault), and art. 57 of the FDC (an act of unsporting behaviour towards another player).