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FIFA announced it has opened an investigation into Uruguay striker Luis Suarez's apparent bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in his side's 1-0 win on Tuesday. Since the incident went unpunished during the match and was not included in the match official's report, it now falls under the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's jurisdiction. Classed as a "serious infringement," the minimum ban Suarez faces is two matches and the maximum is two years.
With Uruguay's round of 16 match against Colombia scheduled for Saturday, June 28, the call for evidence has been expedited — the deadline for submission being Wednesday at 5 p.m. Brasilia time.
From FIFA.com:
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. The player and/or the Uruguayan FA are invited to provide with their position and any documentary evidence they deem relevant until 25 June 2014, 5pm, Brasilia time.
Suarez was banned seven matches by the Dutch FA the first time he bit an opponent in 2010. Then in 2013, he was banned 10 matches by the English FA for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic. Now he must answer to a higher power in FIFA and for a third unthinkable offense (fourth if his eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra in 2011 is considered, and it should be), it's only logical that his next ban should be longer than his last. But FIFA rarely operates within the confines of logic.
Following Italy's loss to Uruguay, Chiellini said, “Suarez is a sneak and he gets away with it because FIFA want their stars to play in the World Cup. I’d love to see if they have the courage to use video evidence against him."
Uruguay manager Oscar Tabaraz dismissed the incident, though, saying, "It's a World Cup, we don't do cheap morality."
And Suarez, now with a hat trick of bites to his name, reportedly told a Uruguayan TV station after the match, "These are just things that happen out on the pitch."
ager Oscar Tabaraz dismissed the incident, though, saying, "It's a World Cup, we don't do cheap morality."
And Suarez, now with a hat trick of bites to his name, reportedly told a Uruguayan TV station after the match, "These are just things that happen out on the pitch."
