FIFA Collecting Information Regarding Uruguay's Luis Suarez Following Bite
The Uruguay forward, nicknamed "Cannibal," is no stranger to using his teeth.
— -- FIFA said today that its disciplinary committee is still collecting information to "assess the matter" of Uruguayan soccer star Luis Suarez for apparently biting an Italian player on the shoulder.
FIFA, soccer's international governing body, said that it is allowing Suarez, 27, and the Uruguayan Football Association to provide their "position" and "any documentary evidence they deem relevant" until 6 p.m. ET today.
"We really cannot anticipate what could or could not happen," FIFA’s Head of Media Delia Fischer said at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro this morning. "As soon as we have an update we will communicate as we did yesterday."
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In the meantime, information is being collected from witnesses, referees, audio and video recordings and from Suarez himself should he make himself available, Fischer added.
Fischer also called the disciplinary committee "completely independent" and added that the committee will decide whether Suarez's past biting incidents will be considered in any potential action.
Just before Uruguay defeated Italy 1-0 on Tuesday at the World Cup in the Brazilian city of Natal, Suarez appeared to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 80th minute in the penalty area.
If the panel finds the Uruguayan forward, who's nicknamed the "Cannibal," guilty of assaulting an opponent, FIFA rules call for a ban of at least two matches and up to a maximum of 24 months. Uruguay plays Colombia on Saturday in the round of 16.
"Let the disciplinary [committee] do their duty," Fischer said, calling the investigation "ongoing."
The match officials did not sanction Suarez for the incident despite Chiellini pulling down his jersey to try and show the referees the bite mark. Suarez said nothing but could be seen touching his front teeth while he was on the ground.
The incident was visible on television replays.
"If it happened, the referee probably didn't see it," Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez told reporters at the post-game news conference.
Chiellini told Sky Italia after the game: "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," according to ESPN.
Suarez did not respond to questions after the game, instead he walked past reporters with a smile and a thumbs up.
In 2010, Suarez was suspended as an Ajax player for seven games for chomping on PSV Eindhoven player Otman Bakkal.
Last year, Suarez was suspended for 10 games as a Liverpool player for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
