D-Day For Suarez As President Backs 'Bite' Star

Team-mates are talking of media vendettas, pundits are calling for a lengthy ban - the world eagerly awaits Fifa's decision.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez will find out later what sanctions Fifa will take against him after he appeared to bite an Italian defender.

The Liverpool striker was charged after television footage and photographs appeared to show him chewing on Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder in Tuesday night's Group D match.

And while many are demanding a lengthy ban for the controversial star, his country's President, Jose Mujica, has insisted: "I didn't see him bite anyone.

"We didn't choose him to be a philosopher or a mechanic or to have good manners. He's a great player.

"If we're going to take decisions in football based on what TV says, then there are loads of penalties and handballs you have to give that weren't given. So bad luck."

A Fifa official has told Sky News Suarez "must face a severe sanction" if found 'guilty' of biting Chiellini. "If we allow this where will it stop?"

However his team-mates have rallied to his defence.
Skipper Diego Lugano even suggested there was a media vendetta against the player.

"The British media has a vendetta against Suarez, and everyone knows that.

"It's obvious the vendetta sells newspapers in England, otherwise you wouldn't be here. Uruguay and Italy played yesterday (Tuesday). On Saturday Uruguay plays Colombia, I don't know why there's a British journalist asking about Suarez."

However Suarez was criticised by Uruguay football legend Alcides Ghiggia - the last survivor of the team which defeated Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup.

"Suarez plays well but he has done things that are not normal for a player nor for a soccer game," he said. "I think Fifa can sanction him."

The 27-year-old, banned twice before for biting opposing players, could be expelled from the tournament if found guilty.

SOURCE: Skynews