MONTEVIDEO: Uruguay’s President Jose Mujica has called world football federation FIFA “a bunch of old sons of bitches” over Luis Suarez’s four-month ban.

The 79-year-old described the punishment, which also included a suspension for nine international matches, as a “fascist ban”.

Suarez received the harshest sanction in World Cup history for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Mujica made the comments to state TV at a reception for the Uruguay team after their return  following their elimination from the World Cup by Colombia.

The former leftist guerrilla had previously said Suarez was being punished by FIFA because of his humble background.

He also denounced the ban in his weekly radio address as an “eternal shame” in the history of the World Cup.

Oscar Tabarez’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat in their last-16 tie against Colombia after being deprived of the Liverpool striker because of the ban. Uruguay’s football federation has notified FIFA of intent to appeal.

######################