Off the hook: Suarez will not face police action as Ivanovic spares him

Luis Suarez has been spared the threat of police action after Branislav Ivanovic was met by officers on his return to London but decided against pressing charges over being bitten by the Liverpool striker.

Merseyside Police swung into action after receiving complaints from the public over the second-half flashpoint at Anfield, when Suarez reacted to a tussle with Ivanovic by sinking his teeth into the Chelsea defender’s arm.

With Ivanovic and his team-mates already on their way back to Stamford Bridge after Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw, they alerted their Surrey counterparts and asked them to intercept the 29-year old Serbian and ask for his version of events.

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Hungry? Luis Suarez appears to sink his teeth into Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield

Look, ref: Ivanovic shows his arm to referee Kevin Friend following the biting incident

LUIS SUAREZ STATEMENT

'I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behaviour earlier today during our match against Chelsea.

'I have issued an apology and have tried to contact Branislav Ivanović to speak to him personally. I apologise also to my manager, playing colleagues and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for letting them down.' Then on Twitter: 'I've just spoken to Ivanovic on the phone and I could apologise directly to him. Thanks for accepting.'



It is understood Suarez had already apologised for his ‘inexcusable behaviour’, and after discussing the incident with Surrey Police, and showing them where he had been bitten, Ivanovic decided against taking it any further.

Merseyside Police issued a statement confirming they had interviewed Ivanovic and that any sanctions would now be a matter for the FA.

It said: ‘Merseyside Police can confirm that following an incident at the Liverpool v Chelsea game yesterday (Sunday, 21 April 2013) officers have spoken to Branislav Ivanovic in person.

'He had no apparent physical injuries and did not wish to make a complaint. This is now a matter for the Football Association.’

Stunned: The Chelsea defender didn't seem to know how to react after he was bitten by Suarez yesterday

Suarez escaped punishment from referee Kevin Friend but is expected to receive a lengthy ban.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre cancelled a trip to Australia and the Far East to deal with an incident that has been condemned globally. Ayre said: ‘Luis has made an unreserved apology for his actions. His behaviour is not befitting of any player wearing a Liverpool shirt and Luis is aware he has let himself and everyone associated with the club down. We will deal with the matter internally and await any action from the FA.’

Suarez has a history of shocking behaviour and was banned for seven matches in November 2011 after he bit PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal when playing for Ajax.

He was dubbed ‘the Cannibal of Ajax’ by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Suarez said last night: 'I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behaviour earlier today during our match against Chelsea. I have issued an apology and have tried to contact Branislav Ivanovic to speak to him personally.



Present and past: Brendan Rodgers and Rafa Benitez shared the same Anfield touchline during the game

'I apologise also to my manager, playing colleagues and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for letting them down.'



While Suarez said in an interview on Sunday he wanted to see out his four-year contract at Anfield, it looks increasingly likely he will be offloaded in the summer. Bayern Munich have been strongly linked with him.



Rodgers, who initially refused to comment on the situation, said in a statement: ‘Having reviewed the video footage and spoken to Luis, his behaviour is unacceptable and I have made him aware of this.’

He added: 'I'll always speak openly and honestly about the players and protect them when I can, but with all due respect I'll make an honest appraisal of it [first].



World Cup 2010: Cynically preventing a Ghana goal Handball: Suarez's goal against Mansfield 'I'll always defend people if I think they're right - if I think they're wrong I'll tell them, and that's already happened with Luis this year. And then we move on from it. If that's what the case is, they've got to accept the consequences accordingly.

'It's disappointing that we're not talking about the football, because the character and personality we showed in the game was absolutely fantastic. 'We'll go away and speak to them (owners Fenway Sports Group) afterwards and take it from there.

'This is a club with incredible values and ethics here. As footballers, managers and staff we are representing this great club on and off the field.

Previous: Suarez bites Otman Bakkal of PSV while playing for Ajax Repeat? The PSV star was as perplexed as Ivanovic by Suarez's behaviour 'I will always speak openly and honestly about the players and protect them when I can and if I think they are wrong I will tell them - as I have already this season with Luis (when the striker admitted to diving).

'People have to accept it when they do wrong if that's what the case is. They have to accept the consequences accordingly. It's disappointing that we are not talking about the football.' 'I didn't see the incident that people are asking me about. I have not spoken to the players (about Suarez). We were talking about the late goal - it is very frustrating. 'We have plenty of time in the week to speak about it.' 97th minute: Suarez's equaliser couldn't have come much later in the game to get Liverpool a 2-2 draw

Key: Chelsea will be aggrieved that Suarez was still on the pitch when he scored late on in yesterday's game

VIDEO LUIS SUAREZ APPEARS TO BITE CHELSEA'S BRANISLAV IVANOVIC

LUIS SUAREZ'S CONTROVERSIES

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez is back in the spotlight after appearing to bite Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic on the arm during the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Anfield, going on to score a late equaliser.

Here are some of the previous controversies surrounding the Uruguayan forward.

February 2007: Suarez made his international debut for Uruguay against Colombia but was sent off in the final minutes after being shown a second yellow card for dissent.

November 2007: Joined Ajax from Uruguayan side Nacional but he was later suspended by the Dutch giants after a half-time dressing-room altercation with team-mate Albert Luque.

July 2010: During the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, Suarez prevented Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah from scoring in the final minute with a deliberate handball on the line and was subsequently sent off. A penalty was awarded but missed by Asamoah Gyan and footage showed Suarez celebrating on the sidelines. Uruguay eventually went through to the last four on penalties. November 2010: Suarez was handed a seven-match ban by the Dutch FA and fined by his club for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal during an Eredivisie match.

October 2011: Following his move to Liverpool in January 2011, he was involved in a tackle with Everton's Jack Rodwell and goes down with apparent minimal contact. Rodwell was then sent off.

October 2011: Suarez was alleged to have racially abused Manchester United's Patrice Evra during a Premier League match. Suarez was later found guilty by an independent regulatory commission and banned for eight matches and fined £40,000.

December 2011: Was seen making an offensive gesture towards Fulham fans. At this time he had already been charged by the Football Association over the racism incident, although not yet punished, but was handed a further one-match ban for the gesture.

February 2012: United and Liverpool met again at Old Trafford, but more controversy blew up as Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand before kick-off.

October 2012: Celebrated a goal against Everton by diving in front of Toffees boss David Moyes who had earlier claimed that "divers2 such as Suarez were putting fans off the English game.

January 2013: Handles the ball prior to scoring Liverpool's winner in the FA Cup third round tie at Mansfield.

April 2013: Appears to bite Branislav Ivanovic on the arm but escapes punishment on the pitch as the referee fails to see it, and scores Liverpool's equaliser seven minutes into stoppage time as they draw 2-2 with Chelsea at Anfield.











