Soccer

Luis Suárez ‘treated like a murderer’, says Iago Aspas

Brendan Rodgers insists Uruguayan did not let him or the club down after departure for Barca

Luis Suárez (left) and Iago Aspas (right) have both left Liverpool for Spain. Photograph: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images
Luis Suárez (left) and Iago Aspas (right) have both left Liverpool for Spain. Photograph: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images
Wed Jul 23 2014 - 14:13

Iago Aspas says his former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suárez has been "treated like a murderer" by Fifa after the Uruguayan bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

Aspas, who has been loaned to Sevilla for the upcoming season, told the Spanish radio station Cadena Cope that he can understand why Suárez was banned from playing because it is not his first offence. However, he believes the Barcelona forward's ban from all football related activity is excessive.

“They are treating Luis like a murderer and not like a footballer,” he said. “There are murderers who pay less (for what they have done). To not let him be presented (by Barcelona), to train or to enter the stadium is too much.”

Aspas failed to score a Premier League goal in a disappointing season at Anfield following his €9.5 million move from Celta Vigo, but said he enjoyed playing alongside players like Suárez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.

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“Liverpool had a great season and I learned a lot from my team-mates,” he said.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has also defended Suárez's character after the players departure for Spain and insisted he did not feel let down by the Uruguay striker after the club stood by him over the last two years.

Rodgers said: “No, not at all. Luis, in my two years at the club, has been sensational in his game. Of course there’s been issues which is well documented but it’s in the past. He was a brilliant player for us, for me I’ll always see him as a good man and a good friend.

“He gave everything to Liverpool and he left Liverpool after his time as a world-class talent. It’s obviously a shame he is not here but Liverpool is a club that is bigger than any individual. He’s a fantastic player but we will move forward and there’s real excitement going into this season.

"We've qualified for the Champions League, we went close in the title. I'm really excited by the player's we've brought in - young players with great profile who play how we want to play and that will allow us to go on and hopefully continue to progress."

Guardian Service and Agencies