By: Malena Castaldi

Luis Suarez’s lawyer believes there is a European campaign against the controversial striker, who on Wednesday was preparing his defence after being accused of biting an Italy defender during Uruguay’s 1-0 win at the World Cup.

“We don’t have any doubts that this has happened because it’s Suarez and secondly because Italy was eliminated,” said Uruguay FA board member Alejandro Balbi, who is also Suarez’s lawyer.

“There’s a lot of pressure from England and Italy,” Balbi told local Uruguayan radio. “We’re polishing off a defence argument.”

Soccer’s world governing body is investigating the incident during Tuesday’s Group D match in Natal which has made headlines around the world.

The triumph was marred by Suarez, twice previously banned for biting, who sank his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder, sparking outrage and calls for a tournament-long ban.

But Uruguay FA boss Wilmar Valdez told local media the proof against Suarez is not “convincing.”

“We’ve prepared another video of the game in which we discovered there was other behaviour similar to Suarez’ in the game, which did not generate a similar reaction from the press,” Valdez told El Observador. Uruguayan media have accused other countries of launching a ‘manhunt’ against Suarez, and have singled out the British press as being particularly aggressive.

“There is a possibility that they ban him, because there are precedents, but we’re convinced that it was an absolutely casual play, because if Chiellini can show a scratch on one shoulder, Suarez can show a bruised and almost shut eye,” Balbi said. “If every player starts showing the injuries he suffers, and they open inquiries for them, everything will be way too complicated in the future.”