WATCH: Replays of Uruguay’s Luis Suarez apparent bite of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.
If a bite can be heard round the world, this is it.
In the most controversial — and bizarre — play of the 2014 World Cup so far, the mouth of Uruguay’s star forward Luis Suarez appears to have implanted itself on the shoulder of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the moments before the South American team tallied its first and only goal against Italy.
The score allowed Uruguay to advance to the round of 16, while Italy becomes the latest European power ousted from the 2014 tournament.
The incident, shown on television replays, sees Suarez — already a two-time offender for biting an opponent in Europe’s pro leagues — apparently sink his teeth into the Italy defender as the pair clashed in the Italian penalty area. Chiellini immediately tore his shirt down to show the officials a wound, though no call was made.
The sequence happened about a minute before Uruguay scored.
Not surprisingly, fan outrage erupted on social media from Italian supporters and others critical of the act. Many ribbed Suarez, making light of the incident (see below).
FIFA, meanwhile, said it was investigating the play.
Repeat offender
Suarez has already been sanctioned with a heavy ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in the English Premier League in 2013.
And in 2010, Suarez received a seven match ban after biting an opposing player in the Dutch professional soccer league.
FIFA can sanction players for biting with bans of up to two years.
The play sent shockwaves through social media:
McDonald’s in Uruguay even chirped their star striker:
Roughly translated, the tweet reads: “Hi Luis Suarez, if you wanted to quench your hunger we would have given you a nibble of a Big Mac.”
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