Fifa Opens Suarez Bite Claim Disciplinary Action

Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Suarez after he was accused of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The striker and the Uruguayan FA have until 9pm UK time to "provide their position and any documentary evidence they deem relevant".

Suarez has already commented on the incident, declaring: "These things happen on the pitch."

The striker clashed with Chiellini in the 79th minute of his country's Group D match, a game they won 1-0 to advance to the last 16.

Television replays show Suarez moving his head towards Chiellini and apparently sinking his teeth into his shoulder, with Chiellini responding by swinging his arm.

Defending the alleged attack, Suarez said: "We were both just inside the area, he struck me in the chest with his shoulder and he hit me in the eye as well.

The Uruguay striker has previous after biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic

"These are things that happen on the pitch and you shouldn't attach so much importance to them.

"I'm very happy to have qualified. We are taking each game as it comes, we know that we're in a difficult situation, we're at our limits now."

Speaking to Rai TV after the game, Chiellini said: "It was ridiculous not to send Suarez off.

"It is clear, clear-cut and then there was the obvious dive afterwards because he knew very well that he did something that he shouldn't have done."

Article 77 of Fifa's disciplinary code allows it to hit players with retrospective bans of up to two years if it decides there is a case to answer.

Daily Mirror football writer Darren Lewis told Sky News' Sunrise programme he believes Suarez faces a lengthy international ban, but is likely to escape punishment that would prevent him from playing for Liverpool.

Suarez was sent off for a notorious handball in South Africa in 2010

Betting firm 888poker - one of Suarez's sponsors - has announced it is "seriously reviewing" its relationship with the player following the alleged bite.

Suarez served a 10-match ban last year for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Before his move to Liverpool in 2011, Suarez was suspended for seven matches by the Netherlands football federation after biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal when he played for Ajax.

Professor Cary Cooper from Lancaster University told Sky News that if the forward is found guilty in this latest incident, he should get professional help.

He said: "For anyone in a job who's behaved in an anti-social way, they should be helped - you go to a clinical psychologist, a counselling psychologist and they would try to unwrap why you do that, and then channel that in a more positive way."

He said any ban should also include an order or encouragement for Suarez to get help for his behaviour.

At Anfield, Liverpool supporters suggested they would be keen for the star to return to the club, despite the latest controversy.

One told Sky News: "It looks very damaging. If he's done it, he's in for a very long ban. I just hope it's international, not club level.

"He's part of our club - we love him."

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Hacking Trial Jury Discharged On Final Charges

Jurors who failed to reach verdicts on four final charges in the phone-hacking trial have been discharged by a judge who criticised the Prime Minister for comments that could have caused the case to collapse.

Andy Coulson, the former Number 10 spin doctor, and the ex-News Of The World (NOTW) royal editor Clive Goodman had been accused of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office by paying police officers for two royal phone directories.

But after sitting through eight months of evidence at the Old Bailey, the jury could not reach even a majority verdict and were discharged.

Ex-newspaper editor Andy Coulson has been convicted of phone hacking

It means stinging criticism of David Cameron can now be reported for the first time.

The judge, Mr Justice Saunders, said he was "very concerned" about comments the Prime Minister made while the jury was still deliberating.

"What has happened is unsatisfactory so far as justice and the rule of law are concerned," he said.

The News Of The World was shut down in the wake of the scandal

The move to discharge the jury comes after Coulson was found guilty of plotting to hack phones between 2000 and 2006 while working at the NOTW.

The scandal, which cost the 46-year-old his job as the Prime Minister's communications director and led to the closure of his former newspaper, involved a list of high-profile targets, including Kate Middleton and Prince William, James Bond star Daniel Craig and murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

The incriminating email in which Coulson said "do his phone"

His former colleague Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie Brooks were cleared of the charges they faced.

Shortly after those verdicts were delivered, Mr Cameron led the way in what the judge called "open season" by offering a public apology for hiring Coulson in 2007.

Sky's Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White, at the Old Bailey, said: "The comments made by the Prime Minister were very prejudicial, suggesting Coulson had been dishonest.

An emotional Rebekah Brooks was cleared of all charges

"There was a move by the legal counsel for Coulson and Goodman to have those remaining counts thrown out ... because they felt the jury would not be able to reach fair conclusions.

"However, in essence, that argument is a moot point for the moment because the jury has not been able to reach verdicts."

At a heated Prime Minister's Questions, Labour leader Ed Miliband accused Mr Cameron of "wilful negligence" by "bringing a criminal into Downing Street".

David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed at Prime Minister's Questions

His opposite number replied with regular references to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards and ethics, saying the report "made no criticism of my conduct".

The judge praised jurors for their "enormous patience and tolerance" and said they had applied themselves "with a dedication which is exceptional".

"Go and continue with the rest of your lives with my thanks, the court's thanks and the public's thanks," he added.

A decision on whether to hold a retrial will be made at the start of next week, with sentencing possible on Friday.

Coulson faces up to two years in prison.

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The Seven Sins Of Bad Boy Striker Luis Suarez

The Liverpool striker is no stranger to controversy - with one incident leading him to be dubbed "the cannibal of Ajax".

Here are just a few of his misdemeanours:

Suarez described the handball as 'save of the tournament'

FEBRUARY 2007: He is sent off late on in his debut for Uruguay against Colombia after picking up a second yellow card for dissent.

Suarez dubbed the 'cannibal of Ajax'

JULY 2010: Suarez stopped a certain goal by Ghana in the World Cup quarter-final. He was sent off but Asamoah Gyan's penalty was saved and the Ghana lost the penalty shootout. After the match the striker said: "I made the save of the tournament."

NOVEMBER 2010:  He was dubbed the "cannibal of Ajax" after he bit PSV Einhoven's Otman Bakkal's shoulder in a Dutch league game. He was banned for seven matches.

Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand

OCTOBER 2011:  Alleged to have racially abused Manchester United's Patrice Evra during a Premier League match. He was later found guilty, banned for eight matches and fined £40,000.

FEBRUARY 2012: The Liverpool striker stirred up tensions after refusing to shake Evra's hand before their Premier League game at Old Trafford.

Liverpool striker munches on Ivanovic's arm

OCTOBER 2012: Celebrates a goal against Everton by diving in front of then manager David Moyes, who had earlier claimed that "divers" such as Suarez were putting fans off the game.

APRIL 2013: Suarez bit Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic's arm in a Premier League clash. He was banned for 10 games.

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Colchester Murders: £20,000 Reward On Offer

Police investigating the murders of a Saudi student and a vulnerable man in Essex say they have recovered 38 knives during their search.

The update on the investigation came as Crimestoppers announced a reward of £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nahid Almanea's killer.

The 31-year-old was stabbed 16 times as she walked along the Salary Brook Trail footpath in Colchester on June 17.

Police are looking into a possible link between Ms Almanea's murder and that of James Attfield, who was stabbed 102 times on his arms, hands, back, neck and head in what police described as a "frenzied" attack two months earlier.

Police look for clues in the hunt for Ms Almanea's killer

The reward for information about his death has been doubled from £5,000 to £10,000.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron, of Essex Police, said the 38 knives recovered so far were being examined to see whether any of them were used in either attack.

Hundreds of officers from several different forces have spoken to more than 100 witnesses and carried out door-to-door inquiries at 325 houses, he added.

On Tuesday, police said they were trying to trace a man who may have followed Ms Almanea four days before she was killed.

Ms Almanea was seen on CCTV the day before she was attacked

Witnesses said the man walked behind two women as they came out of a house in Stanley Wooster Way at around 8.45am on June 13.

He is described as white, in his 30s, around 5ft 10in tall and with short, dark hair. He was dressed casually and was wearing dark jeans.

Police have said they do not have evidence that the murders of Ms Almanea and Mr Attfield are linked or that a serial killer is involved.

Witnesses are asked to contact the incident room at Essex Police on 01245 282103. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55111.

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Hacking: Brooks Cleared But Coulson Guilty

Rebekah Brooks has been cleared of all charges in the phone-hacking trial, while ex-Number 10 spin doctor Andy Coulson has been found guilty of plotting to hack phones.

Jurors at the Old Bailey found former News of the World editor Coulson guilty of conspiring to hack phones with others between 2000 and 2006.

The 46-year-old, who was forced to quit as Prime Minister David Cameron's communications director over the scandal, now faces the possibility of a prison sentence.

Coulson arriving at the Old Bailey, earlier

An emotional Mrs Brooks, former chief executive of News International, who was found not guilty of all the charges she faced, was led out of the courtroom upon learning the verdicts.

Brooks, 46, was cleared of hacking, misconduct in a public office for allegedly signing off payments to a Sun journalist's military contact between 2004 and 2012, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perverting the course of justice.

Her 52-year-old husband, racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks and News International's former head of security Mark Hanna, 51, were cleared of perverting the course of justice around the time of police searches in July 2011.

David Cameron apologises for employing Coulson at Number 10 Downing Street

Mr and Mrs Brooks left the building holding hands and made no comment to the reporters assembled outside the central London court.

Ex-News of the World managing editor Stuart Kuttner was also cleared of being part of a conspiracy to hack phones dating back to 2000 and spanning six years.

And jurors cleared Cheryl Carter, 50, Mrs Brooks' friend and former personal assistant, of conspiring to pervert the course of justice by removing seven boxes from the NI archive just days before she was arrested in 2011.

The trial has been ongoing at the Old Bailey in London for nine months

However, not all the verdicts have been returned by the jury of eight women and three men, which has been deliberating since June 11.

They are still considering further charges against Coulson and ex-News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office by paying police officers for two royal directories.

The trial heard victims of phone hacking included royals, celebrities, politicians and ordinary members of the public including Kate Middleton and Prince William, Bond star Daniel Craig and murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

Cleared: Cheryl Carter and Stuart Kuttner

A spokesman for News UK, formerly known as News International, said: "We said long ago, and repeat today, that wrongdoing occurred, and we apologised for it. We have been paying compensation to those affected and have cooperated with investigations.

"We made changes in the way we do business to help ensure wrongdoing like this does not occur again. And we are strong supporters of the Independent Press Standards Organisation that is expected to begin work this autumn, serving as a watchdog on the industry in the public interest.

"Out of respect for the fact that further legal proceedings will occur, we will have no further comment at this time."

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Sudan's Meriam Ibrahim Arrested At Airport

A Sudanese woman freed from death row yesterday has reportedly been arrested with her husband as they tried to leave the country with their children.

A court ordered the release of Meriam Ibrahim on Monday after she was imprisoned for converting from Islam to Christianity.

The government said the 27-year-old was released after "unprecedented" international pressure.

A security source said Ms Ibrahim and her husband Daniel Wani were detained as they tried to board a plane at Khartoum airport.

"The National Security took her and Daniel," said the source.

He could not give more details except to say they were taken to a facility of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

Ms Ibrahim has refused to renounce her faith

"She has the right to leave the country," the source said.

The status of their two young children, one a newborn baby, was not immediately known.

Ms Ibrahim was convicted last month of apostasy and adultery and claimed she had always been a Christian, having been raised by her Ethiopian mother while her Muslim father had left when she was young.

She married Mr Wani in 2011 and has refused to renounce her faith.

Ms Ibrahim was forced to give birth to her second child, a daughter called Maya, in prison. Her son Martin also lived in prison with her.

Prime Minister David Cameron joined condemnation of the mother's plight, saying he was "absolutely appalled" by the case.

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Hacking: What Now For Rebekah Brooks?

By David Bowden, Senior Correspondent

Rebekah Brooks married an EastEnder and later a country gent and counted prime ministers among her friends.

Even Royals found themselves at ease in the presence of the flame-haired empathiser.

But it was her relationship with Rupert Murdoch that saw her rise to being the most powerful woman in British media and a paid-up member of the Chipping Norton set, a clique of the rich and famous with boltholes nestled in the Cotswolds countryside.

Mrs Brooks leaves court with her husband after being cleared

The extent of Mrs Brooks' power and influence was perfectly illustrated by her wedding reception at Sarsden House, a grand country estate, also in the Cotswolds.

On the guest list were the Camerons, Gordon and Sarah Brown, Rupert Murdoch, JCB tycoon Sir Anthony Bamford and his wife along with 200 movers and shakers.

One former News of the World (NOTW) exec described it as "only one level down from a Royal wedding".

Not bad for a grammar school girl from Warrington whose first foray into national journalism as a 20-year-old was a trip to Luxembourg to cover a story about beer for Eddy Shah's short-lived Post newspaper.

Mr Murdoch and Mrs Brooks in 2011

When the tabloid folded after a matter of weeks, Mrs Brooks washed up at NOTW as a secretary.

At 31 she was the boss, but it wasn't just her ambition and drive that got her there, it was her mentor Rupert Murdoch that prepared the ground, according to former News of the World's executive editor Neil Wallis.

Mr Wallis says the then-Rebekah Wade, her soon to be deputy Andy Coulson, and another young editor, Piers Morgan, were seen as the future.

He said: "They came through at a time where there was a deliberate decision to change the direction and the mood of how those papers operated... and it was a conscious decision by Rupert Murdoch that he wanted change."

Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson became an item professionally and personally at the NOTW - Coulson another apparently snared by what many say is Mrs Brooks' engaging personality and ability to empathise with people from all walks of life.

Mrs Brooks counted the Camerons as friends

It certainly worked on more than one prime minister and their spouse. As well as the Camerons, Gordon and Sarah Brown became close to Mrs Brooks, as did Cherie and Tony Blair, according to his former spin doctor Lance Price

Coulson spent even more time at Downing Street. Mr Wallis, who says he is proud to call Coulson a friend, believes he gave Old Etonian David Cameron the common touch he needed to run the country.

He said: "If you talk to people in politics even now, they will say that to this day Cameron misses Andy Coulson's understanding of real people who are outside Cameron's world."

In the end it was phone hacking that brought both Coulson and Brooks down and ultimately closed the newspaper they both edited and which was owned and run by the man who used to treat Rebekah as a fifth daughter, part of the family.

With her acquittal at the Old Bailey, will he now bring her back into the family business? 

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Queen Visits Game Of Thrones Set In Belfast

Safe in the knowledge that there is no dispute over her place as monarch, the Queen has paid a visit to the Game Of Thrones set in Belfast.

Her Majesty was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh for the visit to the Paint Hall Studios in the city's regenerated Titanic Quarter, where much of the popular Sky Atlantic series is filmed.

The Royals met members of the cast including Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, Kit Harington, who stars at Jon Snow, and Lena Headey, who plays Queen Cersei Lannister.

Local Ballymena-born actor Conleth Hill, who plays the manipulative Lord Varys, was also on hand to show the dramatic influence the hit show has had on telly addicts and the Northern Ireland economy.

Cast members were on hand to greet Her Majesty

The Iron Throne was on display for the Queen, but she did not take the opportunity to test it out for comfort.

Instead she was given her own miniature throne to take back to the palace with her.

The Queen was also shown handmade costumes and props and armoury, while David Benioff and Dan Weiss, executive producers and writers of Game of Thrones, led a tour through the sets for the Red Keep and the Throne Room.

Kit Harington plays Jon Snow in the series

It is not known if the Queen and Duke are fans of the show, which is famous for its violence and nudity.

Northern Ireland is fast developing an international reputation as a leading filming destination, with the powersharing administration at Stormont offering attractive incentives to producers to film in the region.

The adaptation of George RR Martin's story is estimated to be the biggest TV production in Europe and its first four seasons have been credited with bringing a direct economic benefit of £82m to Northern Ireland, creating the equivalent of more than 900 full-time and 5,700 part-time jobs.

Series 4 of Game Of Thrones finished last week.

Earlier, Stormont's first and deputy first minister accompanied the Queen on a tour of a notorious Belfast prison, where both politicians were held during the Troubles.

Once a forbidding facility synonymous with the dark years of the conflict, the transformation of the old Crumlin Road Gaol into a popular visitor attraction is symbolic of Northern Ireland's journey toward peace.

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Leicester House Fire: Pair Guilty Of Murder

Two men have been found guilty of murdering a mother and her three children in a bungled revenge attack in Leicester.

Shehnila Taufiq, 47, her 19-year-old daughter Zainab, and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15, all died when a fire engulfed their house in Wood Hill, Leicester, in the early hours of September 13 last year.

Kemo Porter, 19, and Tristan Richards, 22, were found guilty of their murders at Nottingham Crown Court.

Shaun Carter, 24, was found not guilty of four counts of murder but guilty of four counts of manslaughter.

Prosecutors had said the blaze was a "retribution process" for the fatal stabbing of Antoin Akpom, 20, hours earlier, but that the killers attacked the wrong house.

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Pregnant Teen 'Killed By Obsessive Ex-Boyfriend'

A court has heard how a man murdered his teenage ex-girlfriend after discovering she was pregnant with his child.

Ben Blakeley, 22, is alleged to have killed 17-year-old Jayden Parkinson whose body was found in a graveyard at All Saints' Church in Didcot, Oxfordshire, last year.

Blakeley, from Reading, Berkshire, denies murdering Miss Parkinson, but he has admitted killing her and disposing of her body.

Miss Parkinson was last seen alive on December 3, 2013, when she was caught on CCTV leaving the One Foot Forward hostel in Oxford where she had been staying.

Half an hour later she was caught by another CCTV camera, this time at Didcot railway station with Blakeley.

Just after midnight the hostel reported Miss Parkinson missing to police after she failed to return.

Richard Latham QC, prosecuting, said: "The prosecution case is that Jayden was killed by Ben Blakeley that same evening in open countryside south of Didcot - there is no dispute between prosecution and defence.

"We cannot be precise about location for this simple reason - unlike most killings the body was moved from where the offence occurred.

Miss Parkinson was last seen alive on December 3

"There is only one person alive who knows the truth and we would invite you to be very sceptical about what he says or has said."

Oxford Crown Court heard Blakeley was an obsessive and controlling character and regularly beat his ex-girlfriend.

Mr Latham told the court: "On any view (their relationship) was difficult. We allege he was controlling, to an obsessive and excessive degree.

"He was violent and abusive to her and controlling and hitting her."

Mr Latham told jurors that Miss Parkinson found the ending of the relationship difficult.

"She found it difficult to let go and hours before her death she left the hostel to meet him - it was the last time she was seen alive," said Mr Latham.

Despite admitting he killed Miss Parkinson, the prosecution refused to accept his plea and he is standing trial for her murder alongside a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The youth has pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, but he denies preventing a lawful burial between December 2 and December 10 last year.

The trial continues.

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