Luis Suarez has apologised to Branislav Ivanovic after biting the Chelsea defender during the 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Suarez apologised first via his Twitter account and then through a statement issued on the club’s website for an incident that came before he scored a dramatic equaliser seven minutes into stoppage time.
“I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behaviour earlier today during our match against Chelsea,” Suarez said in his statement.
“I have issued an apology and have tried to contact Branislav Ivanovic to speak to him personally. I apologise also to my manager, playing colleagues and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for letting them down.”
Earlier on Twitter, Suarez had written: “I’m sad for what happened this afternoon, I apologize Ivanovic and all football world for my inexcusable behaviour. I’m so sorry about it!!” Suarez wrote.
The club have also responded to the incident, which came when the two players clashed following a challenge in the Chelsea penalty area.
The club’s managing director Ian Ayre cancelled a trip to Australia to deal with the fallout from the incident.
In a statement, he said: “Luis has made an unreserved apology for his actions today. His behaviour is not befitting of any player wearing a Liverpool shirt and Luis is aware that 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.”
Manager Brendan Rodgers had said in his post-match interviews that he had not seen the incident, but later said: “Having reviewed the video footage and spoken to Luis, his behaviour is unacceptable and I have made him aware of this.
“The standards at this football club have been met for many years and that’s why it is the worldwide institution that it is.”
Suarez looks set to face a Football Association investigation into the incident, which was not seen by referee Kevin Friend but later highlighted by numerous television replays.
It is not the first time Suarez has brought controversy to the club he was banned for eight matches last season after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra and he has previous history of biting.
Immediately prior to joining the Reds in January 2011 he served a seven-match ban while at Ajax after sinking his teeth into PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal.
Rodgers said discussions would take place with the club’s owners Fenway Sports Group whose principal figure John Henry and chairman Tom Werner were in the city last week for the Hillsborough memorial service.
Suarez scored the equaliser in the seventh minute of added time only six extra had been indicated having conceded the penalty with a handball which allowed Eden Hazard to put Chelsea ahead again after former Blue Daniel Sturridge had cancelled out Oscar’s first-half opener.