BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A Luis Suarez bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini has led to another controversy surrounding the Uruguayan as his team yesterday (Jun. 24) eliminated the Italians Arena das Dunas in Group D.
Skysports reported that Suarez appeared to have bitten Chiellini, who reacted with an elbow. The pair remained on the field.
Suarez was banned for 10 matches for chewing on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.
The media outlet report that television replays showed Suarez moving his head towards Chiellini, who responded by swinging an arm and chasing the referee to apparently insist he had been bitten.
Suarez is expected to face a FIFA disciplinary committee which has confirmed that the process has already begun.
"FIFA can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the player Luis Suarez of Uruguay."
FIFA's disciplinary code sets a maximum ban of 24 matches or two years, but the longest ban in World Cup history was eight games for Italy's Mauro Tassotti for breaking Spain's Luis Enrique's nose in 1994 with an elbow.
Meanwhile, England’s wretched World Cup story concluded with a nil-all draw against Costa Rica, which progressed as the winners of Group D.
In group C, Georgios Samaras’ late penalty lifted Greece to a shocking 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Fortaleza to reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time.
Skysports stated that as Japan was losing to Colombia in the other match, it looked like Ivory Coast would have progressed when Wilfried Bony scored in the 74th minute to cancel out Andreas Samaris’ first-half strike.
Greece were however awarded a penalty that was successfully converted by Georgios Samaras.
Colombia were confirmed as Group C winners after a 4-1 victory over Japan.
The South Americans had a perfect record for the entire group stage following victories over the Ivory Coast and Greece.
