Best of Soccer in 2014: Luis Suarez's Bite, Qatar World Cup in 2022 Among Major Headlines of the Year

The soap opera that is sports always rivets for what takes place on the battle field. But often times the stories that take place far away from the pitch are just as unique and special. They make for some interesting conversation and add an element to the world of sports that moves into the social, political and economic realm. This year featured a number of off-pitch events that continued to elevate the dynamics of soccer and add new elements that are rarely discussed. As part of our Best of 2014 feature series, writer David Salazar and Edwin Molina look at two off-pitch events that really brought the soccer conversation to a new level.

UEFA Champions League 2014-15 Recap: Lionel Messi Gets Closer to Raul's Record While Shakhtar Donetsk' Luiz Adriano Puts 5 Goals on BATE Borisov

By Edwin Molina
Forty goals were scored on Tuesday, a record for an eight-game night of UEFA Champions League's action that saw Shakhtar Donetsk' Luiz Adriano tie Lionel Messi's record for most goals in a game while Messi got closer to Raul's Champions League career record.

World Cup 2014 News: Luis Suarez Apologizes but 4 Month Ban Is Merited in Light of Past Behavior

By Edwin Molina
While Uruguay's Luis Suarez finally apologized for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their Group Stage game, the punishment does seem to fit the crime despite what Suarez's supporters - including Chiellini - may think of the nine-game and 4-month suspension of the polarizing 2013-2014 English Premier League (EPL) Player of the Year.
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