MILAN --
Giorgio Chiellini believes Luis Suarez has been harshly punished by FIFA for biting his shoulder during their decisive World Cup match.
Suarez has been banned from all football activities and stadiums for four months as well as being suspended from Uruguay's next nine internationals.
On Friday, Chiellini says "I believe the proposed formula is excessive. I sincerely hope he will be allowed to stay close to his teammates during the games, because such a ban is really alienating for a player."
"I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies.
"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," said the Juventus center-back.
"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.
Uruguay's football federation has said it plans to appeal the ban.
Suarez bit Chiellini's left shoulder during Uruguay's 1-0 win against Italy in the group stage on Tuesday.
