Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini complains and shows an apparent bitemark by Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez at Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil on Tuesday. Photo: IC

Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez­ faces expulsion from the World Cup for biting­ another­ player as FIFA confirmed­ it had opened disciplinary­ proceedings­ against him on Wednesday.

Suarez, banned twice before for biting opponents, appeared to sink his teeth into defender Giorgio Chiellini on Tuesday during Uruguay's 1-0 win over Italy.

Uruguayan players and team officials pleaded ignorance but the incident was captured clearly on TV footage, making a ban almost inevitable.

"FIFA can confirm disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the player Luis Suarez," FIFA said in a statement.

Suarez and the Uruguayan Football Association can submit evidence to investigators until 5:00 pm on Thursday, FIFA added.

Suarez, who plays in the English Premier League for Liverpool, is one of the world's biggest stars, and could be banned for up to 24 games under FIFA rules.

He has already received long bans for biting during his club career as well as racially abusing Manchester United player Patrice Evra during a game in 2011.

The latest incident occurred towards the end of Uruguay's Group D game with Italy.

Replays showed Suarez appearing to bite Chiellini's shoulder as the two players made contact in an off-the-ball incident.

Chiellini angrily remonstrated with Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez, pulling his shirt off his shoulder to show red marks on his neck.

Afterward a disgusted Chiellini told Italian TV, "He bit me, it's clear, I still have the mark ... The referee should have blown his whistle and given him a red card."

Suarez sought to play down the incident in comments to Uruguayan television, claiming Chiellini had barged him.

"There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them," Suarez said.

Uruguay's veteran manager Oscar Tabarez pleaded ignorance of the incident.

"I didn't see it. I'd like to see the images first," he told a press conference.

He also suggested Suarez was being victimized by journalists.

"He is the preferred target for a lot of media," Tabarez said.

Pressed on the issue, a visibly irritated Tabarez refused to condemn Suarez.

But senior FIFA officials wasted no time in condemning the striker.

"There is no doubt Luis Suarez is a fantastic footballer but once again his actions have left him open to severe criticism," FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce told the BBC.

"FIFA must investigate this incident very seriously and take whatever action is deemed necessary."

If found guilty, the incident means the end of the tournament for Suarez, lambasted during the 2010 World Cup for his goal-line handball which denied Ghana what would have been a quarterfinal victory.

In November 2010 he was banned for seven matches by the Netherlands FA after biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal on the shoulder when he played for Ajax.

Suarez was dubbed "the Cannibal of Ajax" by Dutch media.

In 2013, he was given a 10-match ban by the English FA after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in a match at Anfield while playing for Liverpool.

In the other Group D game, Costa Rica ensured England's miserable World Cup ended with a whimper in a 0-0 draw.

The result meant Costa Rica win the group, unbeaten after three games, with Uruguay finishing as runners-up.

Costa Rica will play Group C runners-up Greece on Saturday after they scored a last-gasp 2-1 win over Cote d'Ivoire to scrape into the last 16.

An injury time penalty from Georgios Samaras clinched victory for the Greeks and left Cote d'Ivoire players shattered.

The Africans had recovered from falling behind to an Andreas Samaris goal to level through Wilfried Bony on 74 minutes.

Colombia wrapped up qualification for the last 16 with another impressive win, destroying Japan 4-1 in Cuiaba.

Juan Cuadrado, James Martinez and Jackson Martinez (two goals) scored for Colombia with Shinji Okazaki the lone scorer for Japan.

The match also saw Colombia substitute goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon make history, becoming the oldest ever player at a World Cup at the age of 43 years and three days.

Mondragon's appearance surpassed Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who played at the World Cup aged 42 years and 39 days.

Colombia will now face Uruguay, almost certain to be without Suarez.

Group C

 

Group D

 
Newspaper headline: A taste of Italy