Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has apologised for his “inexcusable behaviour” after appearing to bite Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.
The incident happened in the second half of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
“I’m sad for what happened this afternoon,” said Suarez, 26, on his official Twitter account.
“I apologise [to] Ivanovic and all [the] football world for my inexcusable behaviour. I’m so sorry about it!”
Shortly after the game, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said no individual was “bigger than the club” after pledging to review the incident.
“This is a club with incredible values and ethics,” said Rodgers.
“We’ll review it as a club, because there’s certainly no-one bigger than this club, a player or manager.”
Ivanovic, 29, complained to referee Kevin Friend that he had been bitten on his right arm by Suarez after their clash inside the Chelsea penalty area.
“As football managers, staff and players, we’re representing this club, off the field and in particular on the field,” added Rodgers.
“I’ll always speak openly and honestly about the players and protect them when I can, but with all due respect I’ll make an honest appraisal of it [first].
“I’ll always defend people if I think they’re right – if I think they’re wrong I’ll tell them, and that’s already happened with Luis this year.
“And then we move on from it. If that’s what the case is, they’ve got to accept the consequences accordingly.”
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has cancelled a planned trip to Australia on Sunday night to personally handle the fallout.
Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez, who was making his first return to his former club as an opposition manager, said he did not see the incident.
“I have not spoken to the players [about Suarez],” he said. “We were talking about the late goal – it is very frustrating.
“We have plenty of time in the week to speak about it.”
Former Ajax captain Suarez was given a seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal in November 2010.
Suarez has been Liverpool’s outstanding player this season and netted his 30th goal of the campaign with the last-minute equaliser against Chelsea.
The Uruguayan, who signed for the Reds in January 2011, was recently named on the PFA Player of the Year shortlist.
PFA chairman Gordon Taylor believes Suarez will not be excluded from the PFA award but called the situation “embarrassing”.
He told BBC Sport: “It is very depressing and embarrassing that it should happen. If it wasn’t for all the controversies he’s been involved in he would be a more highly regarded player.
“Players are role models and are highly rewarded. This sets such a bad example.”
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said immediately after the match that Ivanovic had not mentioned the incident in the Blues’ dressing room.
“I didn’t see it at the time but people have told me, which is surprising,” said the Czech Republic international.
“Suarez always does little fouls and pushes. I saw Branislav’s reaction and he was not happy at all.”