Former German captain Oliver Kahn, who once tried to bite an opponent, on Thursday backed Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez's nine-match ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in their final group game at the World Cup finals.

The 27-year-old Uruguay striker has been kicked out of the World Cup after FIFA barred him from all football activities for four months on top of banning him for nine international matches.

An appeal is expected to be lodged, but Suarez has received global condemnation, including from Kahn, for biting Chiellini's shoulder during Uruguay's 1-0 win over Italy on Tuesday.

It was the third time Suarez had bitten an opponent during a match after a previous case while at Ajax in 2010 and last year playing for Liverpool against Chelsea.

"This is an absolutely understandable decision," former Bayern Munich captain Khan told German broadcaster ZDF.

"His actions didn't happen by chance, it was the third time -- and this time the whole world was watching."

Kahn -- who was a member of the German side that lost to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup final -- was fortunate to not be banned in 1999 after attempting to bite Borussia Dortmund striker Heiko Herrlich during a Bundesliga match.

He also launched a kung-fu-style kick at an opponent in the same game and is remembered in Germany as much for his hot-headed moments as his 86 appearances for his country.

Kahn said he felt Suarez's biting of Chiellini was born of deep-rooted tension.

"This is behaviour that we normally only see from animals," said the 45-year-old.

"For me, this is the incorrect channelling of inner emotions.

"You saw in his previous game that he almost cried.

"Maybe this behaviour is his last resort when it comes to relieving tremendous pressure and freeing himself from his tensions.

"That's the only explanation I have for it."

afp