Uruguay coach Tabarez defends Suarez against biting claims

Head coach Oscar Tabarez of Uruguay gestures during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Uruguay at Estadio das Dunas on June 24, 2014 in Natal, Brazil.

Natal (Brazil), June 25 (IANS) Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has defended Luis Suarez after the striker was embroiled in another biting controversy Tuesday.

Suarez was accused of sinking his teeth into the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini late in Uruguay's 1-0 victory over the Azzurri in their World Cup Group D clash at Arena das Dunas, reports Xinhua.

"I have not seen the pictures but I would also like you look at what happened before. I do not want to talk about it," Tabarez said.

"If the referee did not see anything, there is nothing to see."

Suarez was given a seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax in 2010.

Last year, he was handed a 10-match sentence for the same offence against Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic while playing for Liverpool.

An irritated Tabarez accused the media of waging a campaign against the 27-year-old.

"I do not see why he would not play anymore at the World Cup as you are suggesting," he said.

"Suarez is the target of some British press. If we see he is going to be attacked, which has begun at this press conference, we're going to defend him.

"I'm not going to repeat a response three times. I didn't see (an) incident with Suarez. I'm not going to comment.

"This is a World Cup. It is not about morality."