( CNN ) -- Luis Suarez has promised never to bite a player again after the Uruguayan issued an apology to Italy 's Giorgio Chiellini . In a carefully worded statement on his official Facebook page , Suarez , who has been hit by a four-month ban by world governing body FIFA for biting the Italian , said he `` deeply regretted what occurred . '' The statement added : `` I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family . `` I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident . '' The Liverpool star 's punishment , which also includes a nine-match international ban , prohibits him from football-related activities , meaning he will be prevented from training with his teammates until late October . Suarez 's statement on Facebook continued to insist that the bite resulted from a `` collision '' with Chiellini . The Italian defender accepted the apology via Twitter saying the incident was `` all forgotten '' before repeating his call for FIFA to reduce Suarez 's suspension . In his defence to FIFA , Suarez reportedly said he had lost his balance and had fallen on `` top of his opponent . '' In a Fifa disciplinary committee document , the Uruguayan explained : `` At that moment , I hit my face against the player , leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth . `` In no way did it happen the way you have described , as a bite or intent to bite . '' Given the bite on Chiellini was the third such offense of Suarez 's career , FIFA took an altogether dimmer view of the incident , handing down a tough punishment to the 27-year-old foward . When playing with Dutch club Ajax in 2007 , Suarez was suspended for seven games for biting an opponent , while he was hit with a 10-match sanction for an identical offense while playing for Liverpool in April 2013 . He also courted controversy in 2011 , when he was handed an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United 's Patrice Evra . Following previous indiscretions , Suarez has enjoyed the backing of his club Liverpool . Suarez has been heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool and , with the 27-year-old set to miss the first nine games of the Premier League season , it remains to be seen whether the Anfield team will continue to stand by its man .
Luis Suarez apologizes to Giorgio Chiellini . Uruguayan says `` deeply regrets what occurred ' Suarez vows `` there will never again be another incident '' FIFA has banned Liverpool and Uruguay forward for four months .