Diego Maradona backs Luis Suarez following his bite ban

Luis Suarez has earned the support of none other than Diego Maradona following his four-month ban at the hands of FIFA.

Maradona, who was no friend of the football authorities himself during his playing career, appeared on TV with a message of support for Suarez.

His t-shirt, pictured above, had the words ‘Luisito estamos con vos’ written on it, or ‘Luisito, we are with you’.

Maradona went on to accuse FIFA of unfairly targeting the forward for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and banning him for four months from all football.

"This decision is a disgrace," he said on TV show De Zurda. "I can't understand this. Who did Suarez kill to get this kind of ban. Why don't [FIFA] handcuff him and send him to Guantanamo [Bay]?

"A player works hard the whole year to be able to play at the World Cup, and Luis scored 29 goals [sic] and they kick him out of the World Cup like this. It's unbelievable.

"Remember [Zinedine] Zidane and what he did in that [2006] World Cup final? FIFA then gave him the Golden Ball.”

Maradona also spoke to Uruguay captain Diego Lugano who continued his staunch defence of his team-mate.

"They treat him like a criminal," the captain said. "Escorted by the police [out of the Uruguay camp]. He did nothing. How wouldn't I defend him at that press conference?

"He's such a great guy. This ban is very harsh. It hits him at the very top of his level. At the best moment in his career."