The South Americans are due to clash in round of 16 but Suarez could be banned pending the result of a Fifa investigation into an incident involving Giorgio Chiellini

By Peter Staunton in Cuiaba

Uruguay could well be without Luis Suarez for their World Cup last 16 tie against Colombia as the striker faces a Fifa investigation into an alleged biting incident involving Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, but Juan Camilo Zuniga says that even without the Liverpool man Uruguay will provide formidable opposition.

Suarez could face a two-year ban by Fifa as video evidence can be used in the investigation against him. Nonetheless with Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan also in the Uruguayan ranks, Zuniga believes a threat remains.

“We know that even without Suarez they have players who can make the difference,” Zuniga told Goal. “They have have forwards who play very well. When they have the ball and you give them a little bit of space they can take advantage.”

Colombia face Uruguay on Saturday in the Maracana and Zuniga believes that Uruguay’s defeats of England and Italy show that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

“We know it’s going to be a very difficult game,” he said. “They won their last game against Italy and they put in a lot of courage. They are the type of team that when they need to win they win.

“However, we are preparing well for this game. We know it’s not easy but we go on. We are thinking only about working well in these next two or three days ahead of this important game.”

Team-mate Fredy Guarin stressed that until such time thatg Suarez was ruled out then all eventualities must be considered.

“We don’t know if he’s suspended yet,” he told Goal. Until he is ruled out then we prepare for everything. The important thing is to prepare whether he is in the squad or not.”

Colombia defeated Japan 4-1 in their final Group C game in Cuiaba to finish on a maximum nine points. The goals came through Juan Cuadrado, James Rodriguez and a double from Jackson Martinez.

The Liverpool forward could be suspended for up to two years if found guilty and has until Wednesday afternoon to put together a case in his defence

Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan was accused of biting by Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini.

The Liverpool striker, who has previously been embroiled in two biting controversies, seemingly leant into Chiellini and bit his shoulder, with the Juventus man keen to point a mark on his skin out to the referee.

And after announcing on Tuesday evening that they would look replays of the altercation, the world’s governing body has deemed the incident serious enough to take forward.

A statement read: “Fifa can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the player Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an apparent breach of art. 48 and/or art. 57 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code during the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil match Italy-Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.

“The player and/or the Uruguayan FA are invited to provide with their position and any documentary evidence they deem relevant until 25 June 2014, 5pm, Brasilia time.

“According to art. 77 lit. a of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC), the Fifa Disciplinary Committee is responsible for sanctioning serious infringements which have escaped the match officials’ attention. Furthermore, according to art. 96 of the FDC, any type of proof may be produced (par. 1), in particular are admissible, reports from referees, declarations from the parties and witnesses, material evidence, audio or video recordings (par. 3).”

If found guilty, Suarez will almost certainly miss the rest of the World Cup, and could receive a ban of up to 24 matches or two years, which could affect his club career as well as international football.

COMMENT: The Liga heavyweights could be having second thoughts about moving for the Uruguay striker after his apparent bite on Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini

By Greg Stobart in Brazil

The wheels had just started turning in the plot to get Luis Suarez out of Liverpool.

Leaks to newspapers based in Madrid and Barcelona, leading quotes from family members, an attack on the English media from the player himself.

All the signs were there of the classic methods used by the Spanish giants to prize leading Premier League stars away from their clubs.

Then Suarez appeared to sink his teeth into Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder.

Another disgraceful moment to add to the rap sheet – the third time Suarez has bitten an opponent during a football match.

The repercussions will follow in the form of lengthy bans. His World Cup is almost certainly over and Suarez could well find himself banned from all football by Fifa, meaning his latest act of barbarity will directly impact his club.

The 27-year-old had been hoping that club would be Barcelona, where he could link up with Lionel Messi and Neymar, two stars of the World Cup in Brazil.

Or perhaps Real Madrid, whose president Florentino Perez is a long-term admirer and would be willing to pay the buyout clause in Suarez’s contract, believed to be set at around €87 million [£70m].

Yet his moment of madness actually increases the likelihood that Suarez will start next season at Anfield.

For big brands like Barcelona and Real Madrid – and their sponsors and kit suppliers – Suarez looks like a public relations nightmare.

For an institution that claims to be ‘more than a club’, Suarez stands against much of what Barcelona claim to represent.

Suarez is one of the best players on the planet. He showed that with his 31 Premier League goals last season and his match-winning display against England is the main reason Uruguay have reached the last 16 of the World Cup.

But for the money we are talking, he is simply not worth the hassle.

He is the man everyone loves to hate, perhaps the most despised footballer on the planet. In a multi-billion Euro corporate industry – and that’s what football is now – he does more harm than good.

So where does that leave Suarez?

Of course, there is the possibility that public pressure may be so strong that Liverpool feel forced to sell, maybe at a lower price than his buyout clause if the player himself tries to force a move.

Suarez has played the victim card enough times before when it appeared he had no argument. It’s perfectly conceivable that he could claim that life in England is unbearable and he needs a fresh start.

But through all the controversies since Suarez joined Liverpool in January 2011, the club have stuck by him.

Liverpool backed Suarez through his Patrice Evra racism saga – for which he received an eight-game ban – despite the terrible damage it did to the club.

The Anfield hierarchy condemned Suarez after the Branislav Ivanovic incident as they looked to deal with the consequences to the club’s image, but they still supported him through his 10-match ban.

In December, the Reds gave him a contract worth €249,000 [£200,000]-a-week – and Suarez subsequently fired them to a lucrative Champions League place.

It’s no stretch to say that Liverpool have so far been willing to overlook Suarez’s faults due to his supreme footballing qualities.

The sense at the club over the last 12 months has been that Suarez’s on-field behaviour has been much improved.

That all changed though with his apparent nibble in Natal, which suggests that Suarez will forever remain uncontrollable.

It could well be the conclusion drawn by executives at Barcelona and Real Madrid, too, especially if they end up bidding for a player who could face months out through suspension.

Suarez was already going to be the centre of attention this summer. The saga has now taken an almighty twist – and no-one quite knows where it is heading next.