Thursday 26 June 2014 19:36, UK
Gordon Taylor says FIFA has blundered by not insisting on a course of counselling as part of Luis Suarez's punishment.
Football's governing body imposed a worldwide four-month ban on Suarez after finding him guilty of biting Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's World Cup win over Italy.
The Liverpool striker has also been fined and suspended for nine international matches, but FIFA's judgement made no mention of any potential rehabilitation.
That has dismayed Professional Footballers' Association chief Taylor, who says football will ultimately be the loser if Suarez cannot learn to stamp out an offence he has now committed three times.
There's no doubt he's one of the finest players in the world, but this is a trait he has to get rid of and it's just not good for him or any of his clubs, or his country or the game in general.
He told Sky Sports News: "I feel FIFA should have led the way with regard to trying to make sure this behaviour is just eradicated, and insisted on some serious treatment for Luis Suarez.
"There's no doubt he's one of the finest players in the world, but this is a trait he has to get rid of and it's just not good for him or any of his clubs, or his country or the game in general. I've not seen that issue addressed.
"Everybody should feel the same. It's just not good when you have somebody of such talent who spoils it with this behaviour.
"That's why I feel it needs looking at in a serious way, and I would suggest a treatment course should be part of any sanction."
Taylor's organisation offered assistance when Suarez was banned for 10 matches for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last year, and the offer remains open.
"That's why we have therapists, counsellors and psychologists," he said. "It's obviously a mental thing.
"We've got lots of instances where players have had problems with mental health, depression, frustration and anger. We've worked on it and I would suggest we've been successful in about two or three cases.
"The odds would be in favour if that were addressed seriously, though of course Luis needs to accept that. But I would have thought that could have been part of any sanction to get that message home."
