Veteran striker Luis Suarez has slammed FIFA following Uruguay’s exit from the 2022 World Cup at the hands of South Korea.
Uruguay won their game against Ghana, which they needed to do for any chance at qualification, but a 91st-minute winner from Hwang Hee-Chan saw South Korea overcome Portugal 2-1 in the other game, leaving Suarez and co. heading home rather than into the next round of the competition.
Luis Suarez was at the heart of everything in Ghana v Uruguay! 👀#BBCWorldCup #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GdBoFGpPON
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 2, 2022
And Suarez, who was the villain of the piece following his antics in 2010 against Ghana, took to social media to slam the perceived lack of respect shown to his country, in what will almost certainly be the 34-year-old’s final World Cup.
“Saying goodbye to a World Cup hurts a lot, but we have the peace of mind that we left everything for our country”, he wrote on Instagram.
“Proud to be Uruguayan even though they don’t respect us. Thanks to each of the Uruguayans who supported us in every part of the world!”
But it was a pair of contentious penalties not given that the former Barcelona attacker really took issue with, along with much of the Uruguayan side, as he revealed after their victory over Ghana.
“Darwin’s is very clear too. They are not excuses, but incredible penalties are being awarded in this World Cup. And there is the committee of referees and FIFA, and they have to try to explain themselves better, at least.”
Uruguay would have faced an all-south American clash with Brazil had they progressed.
