A tournament can never be called complete without its share of spicy stories. From Suarez’ bite to money matters in Ghana, we serve up our pick...
A multi-million dollar bite!
The supremely-talented Luis Suarez caused easily the biggest controversy of the event by biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during their group match. The Uruguay striker’s habitual offence caused outrage across the world while FIFA banned him for four months from all football-related activity. Though he remained a hero for his home fans, the incident not only inspired many an internet joke but also many adverts. A liquor company even released a bottle opener with his head (teeth bared) while a Swedish sex toy manufacturer came up with a nipple clamper with a similar image. The best one came from his new club Barcelona, who bought him for a reported sum of 71 million pounds from Liverpool. But if Suarez wants to pocket most of it, he will have to adhere to the contract that he wouldn’t bite anyone again. If he does then each bite would cost him 3 million pounds!
Cameroonian head-butt
Cameroonian Benoit Assou-Ekotto headbutting his team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo, both of whom were seen arguing during injury time, against Croatia turned many heads with coach Vokler Felke feeling something fishy about the incident. The allegations of fixing in the same match — with Cameroon Football Association announcing an investigation on seven players — sent the football world into a tizzy.
Zuniga breaks Brazil’s back
If the Brazilians had their way, they would have put Colombia’s Juan Camilo Zuniga, who rammed his knee on the back of Neymar ending his World Cup campaign, in Guantanamo Bay detention camp. The nation wept and fumed in equal measure as their most valued player was rendered hors de combat. Brazil’s misery was complete when the hosts, without their star striker, slumped to a shock 7-1 defeat against Germany in semifinals and then lost their third-place play-off against the Netherlands.
Ghana cash
If Suarez biting led to several funny ads, Ghana government’s decision to send 3 million dollars by plane inspired a Hollywood filmmaker base his movie on the bizarre incident.
The screenplay will apparently centre on a courier tasked with carrying $3m to Brazil to stop the Ghanaian football team from quitting the competition in protest at lack of pay.
Ghana's president, John Dramani Mahama, was forced to send a plane containing $3m to Brasília after a row over fees threatened to see the team go on strike ahead of their match against Portugal.
Ghana lost the match 2-1 with defender John Boye, who was seen kissing a stack of cash, scoring an own goal!
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