Chiellini: Suarez ban is excessive

Giorgio Chiellini has surprisingly voiced his support for Luis Suarez, claiming his four-month ban from football is "excessive."

The Azzurri defender criticised Suarez heavily for biting him during the 1-0 defeat to Uruguay which sent Cesare Prandelli's side crashing out at the group stages of the World Cup.

The Liverpool forward has been handed a nine-game suspension and has been banned from all football activity for four months by Fifa.

However, Chiellini revealed he is not angry at the striker and instead feels that the punishment world football's governing body has handed down could ultimately leave the player feeling alienated.

"Now inside me there's no feelings of joy, revenge or anger against Suarez for an incident that happened on the pitch and that's done," he said in a statement on his official website.

"There only remain the anger and the disappointment about the match.

"At the moment my only thought is for Luis and his family, because they will face a very difficult period.

"I always thought that official judgements are unquestionable, but on the other hand I believe that Suarez has been excessively punished.

"I sincerely hope that he will be allowed, at least, to stay close to his team mates during the games because such a ban is really alienating for a player."