New Luis Suarez video: Uruguay striker punches Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara in the face during World Cup qualifier

27 Mar 2013 01:22

Television cameras on opposite sides of the field picked up the Liverpool forward striking Chile's Gonzalo Jara in the face during a corner in a World Cup qualifier

Luis Suarez  punched his way into more controversy after landing a right-hander on West Brom’s Chile defender Gonzalo Jara.
The Liverpool striker, on international duty with Uruguay, was caught hitting Jara as they tussled at a corner during a World Cup ­qualifier.
After being grabbed, held with both arms and then ­seemingly pinched under the arm by Jara, currently on-loan at Nottingham Forest, Suarez lashed out with television pictures showing him punch the defender in the jaw.
Now Suarez must wait for the referee to submit his report to discover whether he will face any action from FIFA.
But the game’s governing body say they will only investigate if the referee mentions the offence in his official report.
Referee Nestor Pitana did not book Suarez over the incident, despite witnessing the tussle, and has not had a chance to view videos of the ­incident.
Many on Twitter backed Suarez, pointing out that Jara was impeding him.

'Ryan Reid' tweeted: "One of the only strikers that will dig a defender back instead of just crying to the ref."
And 'JJtoLFC' added: "How can people call that a punch from Luis Suarez. Hardly touched him."
Spain star David Villa escaped punishment in similar circumstances when he punched a Honduras player during the World Cup finals in 2010.
Uruguay lost the match, 2-0, and are in sixth place in the South American qualifying group - only the top top get automatic places at next year's finals in Brazil.
Suarez WAS later booked for dissent, meaning he is suspended for Uruguay's next qualifier, against Venezuela. ------ Mirror Football