Suarez faces ban after bite on Chiellini

GROUP D

ITALY 0

URUGUAY 1

(Diego Godin 81)

For those of us who chose to watch England this morning (Singapore time) instead, it seemed like a joke at first.

But, as the social networks exploded, as the mobile phones began to vibrate with reaction from friends and family, it became apparent that this was no laughing matter.

For the third time in his career, it appears that Luis Suarez has bitten an opponent during a game.

And not just any game. A crucial World Cup group game watched by millions across the world.

Fifa will have little option but to ban him, possibly for the rest of the tournament. 

Uruguay's must-win clash with Italy in Natal seemed to be heading for a stalemate when Suarez made his mark on the game. Quite literally.

In a penalty-area melee, the Liverpool striker lowered his head, made contact with Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder, twitched and then pulled away as the Italian defender recoiled in pain.

Suarez fell to the ground clutching his teeth in pain.

Chiellini hauled his shirt down and photographs later appeared to show a ring of teeth marks in his flesh.

As scattered bands of Liverpool fans rallied around their hero on the Internet, the only straw they could cling to was that the photograph had been doctored. It is not an argument that has won a lot of support. 

REPEAT OFFENCE

If it had been an isolated incident, the first blemish on a man's record, then Suarez would surely be looking at a lengthy ban.

But this, as everyone knows, is not Suarez's first offence.

In 2010, he bit PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal on the shoulder in a Dutch Eredivisie game and was banned for seven games.

Last year, he bit Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in a Premier League game and was banned for 10 games.

To do it for a third game and expect to still play a part in the World Cup is perhaps a forlorn hope. 

Italy, eliminated by a Diego Godin goal moments later, were furious.

Afterwards, Chiellini released a statement to reporters that didn't beat around the bush. 

"Suarez is a sneak," it read. "He gets away with it because Fifa wants its stars to play in the World Cup.

"I'd love to see if they have the courage to use video evidence against him. The referee saw the bite mark too, but he did nothing about it."

Fifa cannot afford to have its authority or their objectivity challenged in public like that.

It is already, for very different reasons, a laughing stock.

It will need to take a breath, assess the evidence and then make a decisive judgment.

BAN HIM

If they can rule out Photoshop chicanery, then they have to be firm. Not only to ban Suarez, but to ban him from the rest of the tournament.

Not only to ban him from the rest of the tournament, but to give some thought to extended ban at club level.

And then Liverpool will have to make sure that Suarez receives the help his behaviour suggests that he needs. 

And it is his situation at Liverpool that intrigues the most.

Not for the first time, the Suarez camp has mobilised in the build-up to a transfer window.

Reporters with strong contacts have been writing of links with a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Family members have suddenly been talking to the press, speaking publicly of Suarez's desire to move on.

It's the same pattern of behaviour that marked last year's attempt to move, an attempt that was firmly snuffed out by Liverpool chairman John Henry.

Were it not for this incident, questions would have been asked of the club's ability to retain their superstar against his will for a second successive summer.

Now, the landscape is very different. 

In a funny kind of way, this might work out very nicely for Liverpool.

"He bit me, it's clear, I still have the mark. The referee should have blown his whistle and given him a red card, because he was also simulating."

- Italy's Giorgio Chiellini insisting that Uruguay's Luis Suarez had bitten him

"These 
things happen 
in the box. We were in contact, chest against shoulder, and 
I got a knock to the eye."


- Suarez, who was 
covering his mouth 
after the clash

"I didn't see it. I'd like to see the images first. He is the preferred target for a lot of media.".


- Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez

"Once again, his actions have left him open to severe criticism... Fifa must investigate this very seriously." 


- Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce