Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has criticised the referee's "ridiculous" decision not to send Luis Suarez off for his alleged bite on the Azzurri man in their Group D game against Uruguay, despite having dismissed Claudio Marchisio earlier on.

Cesare Prandelli's side lost 1-0 against their South American opponents in Natal, a result which sees the 2010 World Cup semi-finalists progress to the next round at the expense of the 2006 champions.

Chiellini told reporters after the game: "The disparity in judgement has been evident.

"Claudio Marchisio's sending off was ridiculous but more so the fact that Luis Suarez wasn't sent off. There's the will to protect champions but the referee should have shown him a red card. There's a clear simulation after, a clear sign that he had done something that he wasn't supposed to.

"The gesture is clear. Referees document themselves on players and Suarez has a very clear history. The referee has given a clear address, he hasn't spoken throughout the game."

Suarez has previously been found guilty of biting opponents in the Eredivisie and the Premier League.