Just before Uruguay defeated Italy 1-0 Tuesday at the World Cup in the Brazilian city of Natal, Uruguayan star player Luis Suarez appeared to bite an opponent on the shoulder.
After Suarez jockeyed with Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 80th minute in the penalty area and fell to the ground, Chiellini rose while pulling down his jersey, trying to show the referees what he believed to be a bite mark.
FIFA's disciplinary committee later opened proceedings against the Uruguay forward, who's nicknamed the "Cannibal." If the panel finds Suarez guilty of assaulting an opponent, FIFA rules call for a ban of at least two matches up to a maximum of 24 months.
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.
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