ONE LAW FOR ALL?

The Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has admitted he deliberately bit Giorgio Chiellini in a recent World Cup Football match. www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/luis-suarez-apology-at-last-the-truth--the-liverpoo...

As a result of his misdemeanour he will be banned for several matches as well as incurring a fine. His guilt and subsequent punishment has been decided by FIFA, the football governing body, based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Is this an appropriate way to treat his behaviour?

While many of us work in professions that have codes of practice, it is unlikely that our codes allow for us to assault others and not have our actions considered by a court of law.

Is sport different?

Many sporting games include intense emotions and close physical contact; aggression is often a part of competitive behaviour, but should it be acceptable for sporting figures to assault with intent and then for those actions to just be seen as 'disciplinary' issues.

Biting somebody (and reports indicate that this is Suarez's third biting incident) is not just against the rules of football, it is against the law.

How would Suarez or others be treated if their behaviour had taken place off the pitch?

Certainly biting someone else would be considered assault and with evidence of previous form, someone like Suarez may well be charged and depending on the jurisdiction, may even be given community service or even a short custodial sentence. A criminal charge, for a member of the public, could then impact on ability to travel and may impact on employment opportunities. A disciplinary charge for Suarez undoubtedly impacts on his ability to play in the near future but arguably still doesn't have the same impact on him as a guilty criminal charge would have on anyone else.

Is this fair? Is sport 'just a game' and so therefore somehow different from real life situations, or should the same penalties apply for actions on or off the field?

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