Uruguay striker Luis Suarez thanked his fans for their support on Saturday, making his first public statement after football's governing body FIFA handed him a lengthy ban for biting a rival at the World Cup. 'Hello, everyone. I am writing this message to say thank you for all the expressions of support and affection I have received,' Suarez wrote in Spanish on Twitter. 'My family and I are very thankful.' FIFA banned Suarez for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in the shoulder on Tuesday. It was his third offence after similar incidents while playing for Ajax Amsterdam and Liverpool. Brazilian legend Pele waded into the controversy, saying the ban was fair, dpa reported.
