The Sport Matrix: Monday 22 April 2013

Suarez’s behaviour ‘not befitting a Liverpool player’

Liverpool have condemned striker Luis Suarez for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in yesterday’s 2-2 draw at Anfield. The club say his actions were unacceptable and will be dealt with internally.

The club’s managing director, Ian Ayre, above, who cancelled a flight to Australia to deal with the issue, said in a statement on the club’s website last night: “His behaviour is not befitting of any player wearing a Liverpool shirt.

“We will deal with the matter internally and await any action from the FA.”

Faced with pictures of the striker actions, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said the striker’s reputation would count for nothing when the club conducted its review.

“Players are always replaceable, it does not matter how good they think they are,” said Rodgers

With the incident certain to be reviewed by the FA, the striker, who scored a 97th minute equaliser for his side, may have played his last match of the season.

Suarez last night issued an apology, saying he had tried to contact Ivanovic to talk with the defender personally. MORE

Tottenham all but end City’s hopes

Three goals in seven second-half minutes helped Tottenham produce a stunning fight-back in a 3-1 win over Manchester City to boost their top four ambitions The result means a win for Manchester United at home to Aston Villa tonight would secure them the title. MORE

Arsenal Ladies fall in semi-final again

Arsenal Ladies were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-final for the third year in succession after a 4-1 aggregate defeat to German side Wolfsburg yesterday. The Gunners were already down 2-0 from the first leg last week.

Workington take Cumbrian derby

Workington came back from six points down to win the Cumbrian derby against rivals Whitehaven. Their 16-12 victory at Haven’s Recreation Ground booked Town’s place in the Challenge Cup fifth round.

Lennon’s Celtic romp to SPL title

Celtic retained the Scottish Premier League title yesterday after a 4-1 victory against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Celtic Park. Gary Hooper scored twice, with Joe Ledley and substitute Georgios Samaras completing the rout for the Glasgow side’s 44th title. MORE

Fan charged after assault on pitch

A Stockport County fan has been charged with common assault after Kidderminster Harriers player Lee Vaughan was punched during the game. Several County fans stormed the pitch in the match with Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.

Vettel dominates for Bahrain victory

Sebastian Vettel won his second grand prix of the year in Bahrain to lead the championship by 10 points. Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean finished second and third respectively, while Britain’s Paul Di Resta and Lewis Hamilton came fourth and fifth. MORE

Djokovic puts end to Nadal’s epic run

The world No 1 Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal’s 46-match unbeaten streak at Monte Carlo yesterday to win the Masters tournament. Nadal was looking for his ninth straight title, but Djokovic beat the Spaniard 6-2, 7-6 (6-1).

Opinion: James Lawton

In Holland Luis Suarez was as brilliant as he has been so often for Liverpool, but when he committed the crime that was repeated yesterday against Branislav Ivanovic he was near instant history. MORE

Kebede and Jeptoo take Marathon win

The 33rd London Marathon passed with no security issues as 2010 winner Tsegaye Kebede (Ehiopia) won the men’s event with a time of 2:06:03. Priscah Jeptoo (Kenya) won the women’s with 2:20:14, while double Olympic Champion Mo Farah ran half the distance.

Exeter’s Heinken Cup hopes boosted

Exeter Chiefs boosted their hopes of a Heineken Cup spot as they condemned London Wasps to a seventh consecutive defeat in all competitions. The 37-24 victory at Adams Park lifts Rob Baxter’s side up to seventh going into the final weekend.