World Cup

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Attendance: 39,706

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 24, 2014 at 5pm UK

Italy
0-1
Uruguay

Marchisio (60')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Godin (81')

Luis Suarez dismisses bite allegations

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter

Published: June 24 2014 | 22:25

Last updated: June 29 2014 | 12:22

Luis Suarez insists that he is innocent of biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, following an off-the-ball incident in their 1-0 loss to Uruguay.

Luis Suarez has dismissed Giorgio Chiellini's claims that he was bitten by the Uruguay striker during the 1-0 win over Italy this evening.

The South Americans sealed their passage to the last-16 stage of the World Cup, but it was not without controversy as the Liverpool forward appeared to bite his Italian counterpart on the shoulder.

FIFA have confirmed that they will investigate the incident, with Suarez facing a two-year international ban if found guilty of the offence.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez and team captain Diego Lugano have sought to play down the issue, and Suarez himself insists that he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

"These things happen inside the penalty area," he told Channel 10 radio station. "We were chest against shoulder. I also immediately suffered a blow to the eye."

In 2013, the 27-year-old was slapped with a 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic, three years after he was banned for a similar incident when playing for Ajax.

Defender Diego Godin headed his nation into an 81st-minute lead as Tabarez's side booked their place in the second round.