FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Uruguay striker Luis Suarez after he appeared to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup match, the BBC reports.
The Liverpool forward, 27, and the Uruguayan Football Association have until 17:00 Brazilian time (21:00 BST) on Wednesday to respond to FIFA.
Suarez clashed with Chiellini during Tuesday’s Group D game, which Uruguay won 1-0 to qualify for the last 16.
The referee took no action at the time.
The maximum ban Suarez could face if FIFA takes retrospective action is 24 matches or two years.
Suarez has defended himself in an interview with Uruguayan television.
“These are just things that happen out on the pitch,” he said. “It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder.
“There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them.”
The incident occurred towards the end of the game, shortly before Suarez’s team-mate Diego Godin scored the only goal of the match.
Godin’s winner eliminated four-times champions Italy from the World Cup and secured Uruguay, semi-finalists in South Africa four years ago, a match against Colombia in the next round.
