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Luis Suarez bites Italian defender at the World Cup, Uruguay advances

Toru Hanai/Reuters

Toru Hanai/Reuters

On the world’s biggest stage with his team facing elimination, Uruguay’s Luis Suarez bit an opponent at the World Cup. Suarez, who earned a 10-match ban in 2013 for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini late into Uruguay’s final group game. Suarez also earned a seven-match ban in 2010 for biting a player in the Eredivisie.

No card was shown to Suarez by the referee, and Chiellini was furious. He pulled down his jersey to show the marks on his shoulder.

Tony Gentile/Reuters

Tony Gentile/Reuters

A closer look at Chiellini’s shoulder reveals the damage.

Tony Gentile/Reuters

Tony Gentile/Reuters

Suarez, meanwhile, grabbed his teeth in pain.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Italy only needed a draw to advance, but Claudio Marchisio’s mindless red card for stomping on Egidio Rios forced Italy to play a man down for the final half-hour of the game. The 2006 World Cup champions staved off Uruguay, and Suarez should have been given a straight red card for his bite to even out the game.

Minutes after the biting incident, Diego Godin won the game for Uruguay. Godin deflected in a Gaston Ramirez cross off the back of his shoulder, sealing a spot in the knockout rounds.

godin

This isn’t the first time Suarez has been at the center of controversy at the World Cup. Four years ago, he committed a handball on the goal line to keep Ghana from scoring. He was given a red card, but Uruguay won the game to go to the semifinals.

Suarez certainly faces a ban from FIFA, which will investigate the incident.

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