Decision To Sponsor Luis Suarez Comes Back To Bite 888poker

Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup got underway, 888poker took the opportunity to sign a sponsorship deal with Uruguayan star striker Luis Suárez, who would then join Team 888poker as an official worldwide Ambassador. That deal, however, now looks at risk after the 27 year-old footballer tried taking a bite out of an Italian player during a World Cup match on Tuesday.
“Following the allegations made against Luis Suarez in regards to his behavior during Uruguay’s World Cup match against Italy, 888poker is seriously reviewing its relationship with the player as we will not tolerate any unsporting behavior,” explained an 888poker statement today.
The decision to sponsor Suarez in the first place was a controversial one as the Uruguayan player had twice before been banned for biting opponents, including Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal. It looks like 888poker decision to ignore the signs and sponsor Suarez anyway has now come back to “bite them” big time.
In spite of convincing video evidence showing Suarez adding Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini to his chomp list, an incident currently being investigated by soccer’s governing body FIFA, an unrepentant Suarez seems to find nothing unusual in his carnivorous activity, stating:
“These are just things that happen out on the pitch. It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder. There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them.”
Luis Suarez’ attitude when it comes to gnawing on his fellow football players, however, is unlikely to be greeted with the same laid back approach by FIFA who are expected to announce the footballer’ ban from the tournament in Brazil. In fact, if FIFA does decide to throw the book at him Suarez could face a maximum ban of up to 24 matches or two years.
Despite the biting incident horrifying football fans everywhere, there is one segment of supporters who seemed less than upset over the semi-cannibalistic act. Those are the gamblers who decided to take online bookmaker Betsafe up on its offer of 175-1 that the Uruguayan would eventually chew on an opponent at some stage during the World Cup. At least 100 gamblers are known to have taken the bet, with one winner, Jonathan Braeck from Sweden, netting £1,225 from his £7 wager.