Uruguay players planning to boycott World Cup round of 16 clash with Colombia over Luis Suarez ban
Uruguay football players are reportedly threatening to withdraw from the World Cup after FIFA imposed a ban on Luis Suarez for the next nine international matches.
The striker has been banned from all football activities for four months by FIFA’s disciplinary committee following his bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.
With Uruguay qualifying for the round of 16, this ban clearly ends Suarez’s participation for the rest of this World Cup. The ban also covers Uruguay's next nine international games, which will likely rule him out of next year's Copa America tournament.
Though the striker has been punished for the third time for a similar misconduct. the Celeste have stood behind their star player. Wilmar Valdez, the president of the Uruguay Football Association has already announced that they will appeal against Suarez’ ban.
Meanwhile, many voices from Uruguay’s side, including team captain Diego Lugano and country president Jose Mujica, have lashed out at FIFA for imposing such a ban on Luis Suarez.
Finishing as group D runners, Uruguay is pitted against Colombia in the last 16 clash. But, now the Uruguay side is considering to pull out from the tournament protesting against the ban imposed on Suarez.
If Uruguay opts to boycott the tournament, it is not yet clear whether FIFA will give Colombia a bye to the quarter-finals or whether Italy, by virtue of finishing 3rd in group D, will play against Colombia in the round of 16.