World football’s governing body Fifa has began investigation over Uruguay striker Luis Suarez ‘s alleged biting incident during Tuesday’s final Group D game in Natal.
The Liverpool forward appeared to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini moments before Diego Godin’s late header.
“FIFA can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the player Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an apparent breach of art. 48 and/or art. 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match Italy-Uruguay played on 24 June 2014,” read a Fifa statement.
Fifa adds that Suarez, 27, and the Uruguayan Football Association have until 17:00 Brazilian time (9:00pm Nigerian time) on Wednesday to respond to Fifa.
Uruaguay won the game at the Arena das Dunas 1-0 to qualify for the second round of the World Cup.
The referee took no action at the time, as it appeared he was no where near it.
Should Fifa take retrospective action, Suarez could face 24
matches or two year ban.
In an interview with Uruguayan television, Suarez defended his actions.
He said: “These are just things that happen out on the pitch. It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder.
“There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them.”
Defender Chiellini believes it was “absurd” for Suarez to have finished the whole 90 minutes of the encounter, describing the Uruguayan as “a sneak”.
“I’d love to see if Fifa has the courage to use video evidence against him. The referee saw the bite mark, but he did nothing about it,” Chiellini added.
After the clash between both players, Suarez “dived” to the ground holding his teeth, apparently suggesting he had been elbowed.
Chiellini ran after the Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez gesturing to show him the alleged bite mark, even pulling his shirt down to bare his shoulder.
Godin’s winner knocked four-time champions Italy out of the tournament.
