Luis Suarez picked an inopportune time to officially become a serial biter, if indeed he tried to remove a chunk of Italy's Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder with his molars.
There is no shortage of cameras trained on World Cup matches, so FIFA authorities will inspect every available angle of video for conclusive evidence that the Uruguayan striker left teeth marks in the defender's skin.
A costly penalty could ensue. Suarez's two prior chomps triggered a seven-game suspension in 2010 with his club team in the Netherlands and a 10-game sit-down last year with Liverpool in England.
Tuesday's indiscretion, if verified, could result in a lighter penalty, given that it would not be determined by league officials. But, because of Suarez's track record, Uruguay should start game-planning for its next match Sunday under the assumption that he would be banned from it -- and then some. Suarez finds trouble almost as much as he does the back of the net. The most prolific scorer in the latest English Premier League season was suspended and fined by the EPL for a racially charged insult directed at a foe in 2011. He cannot shed the reputation of a notorious diver, exaggerating contact in an attempt to lure a penalty. Soccer's governing body declared its intention to examine Chiellini's accusation. Vice president Jim Boyce told a pool reporter covering the World Cup that FIFA intends to "gather all the necessary elements in order to evaluate the matter." Boyce praised Suarez as a player, then noted that a pattern of behavior has "left him open to severe criticism. FIFA must investigate the incident seriously and take whatever disciplinary action is deemed necessary." Now, he might surpass boxer Mike Tyson, infamous for -- among other things -- chewing off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in the ring, as the most flagrant biter in sports. His explanation to "Sports Illustrated" after the first two unsavory incidents: "You feel frustrated because the play didn't go well. ... You react in a fraction of a second. ... You aren't conscious of your reaction or the repercussions." Should this charge hold up, the potential repercussions for Uruguay are clear. Without Suarez in the upcoming round, they figure to bite the dust.
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