FIFA announced today that it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Uruguay’s football association and four players over their conduct at the end of their final World Cup group game against Ghana.
Uruguay defeated Ghana 2-0 on Friday but both teams failed to advance to the round of 16, with the South American side crashing out on goals scored and finishing third behind Portugal and South Korea in Group H.
Uruguay’s players reacted aggressively at full-time, confronting the referee and appearing to physically assault an assistant referee, accusing the officials of bias for failing to award a penalty after Darwin Nunez and Alidu Seidu tussled in the Ghana box late on.
If Uruguay had been awarded the penalty and scored, they would have progressed instead of South Korea.
FIFA says Jose Maria Gimenez, Edinson Cavani, Fernando Muslera and Diego Godin all face potential sanctions for breaches of the ruling body’s disciplinary code relating to offensive behaviour and misconduct.
Gimenez was fuming after the final whistle, shouting at a nearby television camera after the late controversy.
“They [the referees] are all a bunch of thieves these sons of b..hes,” he blurted out. “Yes, record me. Son of a b..h.”
Luis Suarez, who is not one of the players facing sanctions, hit out at FIFA and their officials after breaking down in tears at the final whistle.
“I see a penalty for Cavani because he is cut off by the defender and he puts his body in front of him. Darwin’s is very clear too,” he said.
“They are not excuses, but incredible penalties are being awarded in this World Cup. And there is the committee of referees and FIFA, and they have to try to explain themselves better, at least.”
