Luis Suarez: These things happen

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has attempted to play down his apparent bite of Italy defender Giorgio Chellini, saying "there are things that happen" during a game.

Suarez, 27, appeared to bite the shoulder of his opponent off the ball in the box when the game was goalless. The referee did not see the incident and took no action, and moments later Diego Godin headed in the goal which put Uruguay through at the expense of Italy.

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Although he did not refer specifically to the clash with Chiellini, Suarez said in a post-match interview: "These are just things that happen out on the pitch. It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder, and that's how my eye got like this as well.

"There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them."

FIFA has the ability to retrospectively punish Suarez and has confirmed it is collating all the available information before making any decision on further action.

Suarez said he was "very happy" that Uruguay had qualified. "We take it one match at a time. We know it is a tough situation, we are being pushed to the limit," he said.