Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez quit FIFA's strategic committee on Friday in protest at the ban football's governing body imposed on his team's star striker Luis Suarez for biting an Italian player.

He accused FIFA of an indiscriminate use of power by imposing an “excessive” punishment on Suarez. FIFA had made a “scapegoat” of Suarez and had “punished him with excessive severity” but the forward will have the full support of the Uruguayan football authorities, Tabarez told reporters on Friday.

Tabarez said Uruguay's staff and players had been expecting some action against Suarez but were stunned by the severity.

FIFA's panel banned Suarez for nine international matches and four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in a group-stage match on Tuesday. Uruguay won 1-0 to advance.

It is the third time Suarez has been punished for biting an opposing player on the field — the previous two suspensions were imposed by the Dutch and English leagues.

(From news reports)