LIFE LINE: Suarez escapes FIFA strokes for punch

LUIS SUAREZ has escaped punishment for appearing to punch an opponent while playing for Uruguay.

The Liverpool striker is already serving a 10-MATCH ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last month.

But Suarez has received a reprieve by dodging another penalty after FIFA decided not to take any action against him for seemingly aiming a punch at Chile’s Gonzalo Jara.

Referee Nestor Pitana missed the incident at the time which happened as Suarez tussled with the West Brom full-back while lining up for a corner during Chile’s 2-0 win in Santiago.

A FIFA statement read: “The matter in question does not require the intervention of the FIFA disciplinary committee and therefore the disciplinary procedure in question is declared closed.

Uruguary chief Sebastian Bauza, who has claimed Suarez is persecuted, especially in England where he plays for Liverpool, said the forward needed to realise that he was being scrutinised.

He said: “It’s very good news for Luis, the national team and for the whole group.

“We understand that from now on, Luis should realise that he will be watched from all sides and we hope that this experience, when added to others, will be useful, so that he becomes the player will all want him to be.”