Football: Uruguay back Suarez in punch probe

“Once again we feel Suarez is being persecuted by different football leagues, mainly the English,” says Bauza.

MONTEVIDEO: The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) have promised to staunchly defend Luis Suarez after Fifa launched a probe into allegations that he had punched a Chilean opponent during a South American World Cup qualifier last month. Argentine referee Nestor Pitana missed the incident during Chile’s 2-0 victory in Santiago on March 26 when forward Suarez and Gonzalo Jara tussled in the penalty area at a corner. “Once again we feel Suarez is being persecuted by different football leagues, mainly the English,” said AUF president Sebastian Bauza. “We think this is unjust because it’s a normal action in football. We will defend him very strongly. We are working with all the videos and pictures showing Suarez reacted to an initial aggression from Jara.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2013.