Former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has lambasted referees at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after Uruguay were eliminated from Group H on goal difference.
Despite condemning their long-standing nemesis, Ghana, to a 2-0 defeat at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday afternoon, Diego Alonso's side failed to secure their place in the round-of-16 as an injury-time strike from Wolves' Hee-Chan Hwang saw South Korea beat Portugal and leapfrog La Celeste into the knockout stages as runners up of Group H.
Until the 91st minute of proceedings in the group stages, Uruguay had appeared to keep their side of the bargain as a brace from winger Giorgian De Arrascaeta had them well-placed for a spot in the last 16 as they led the Black Stars 2-0 in Al Wakrah.
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However, the late drama in the corresponding game of Group H saw the homeland of the Liverpool duo past and present, Suarez and Darwin Nunez, crash out of the group stages for the first time since 2002.
For the former Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Anfield star, the defeat in Doha will almost certainly bring down the curtain on his incredible 15-year international career for the Sky Blues. However, given the nature of his swansong on the international stage - the fact that both Nunez and Edinson Cavani were denied penalties by the referee and his assistants - has left a bitter taste for the 35-year-old.
"I feel sadness and disappointment," Suarez told TeleDoce after the defeat. "My son is also leaving the stadium with the image of that sadness, so for a father it is difficult, but he has to face the situation that he has.
"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. 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."
Suarez, who recently completed a short-term stint at his boyhood Nacional after a 16-year career in Europe, also criticised FIFA officials for not allowing him to see his children after the defeat. Claiming that officials prohibited his family from coming down to pitchside after the game.
"I saw a France player with his children on the substitute bench," he added. "So why always (is it a problem) against Uruguay? It seems that we have to have another power at the media level to have access to have my children to allow them to come down for a second to greet me, but hey, that's FIFA."
The forward, who is currently a free agent after leaving the Montevideo-based side last month, was visibly upset after the two-time winners were knocked out of the competition and was pictured with his head in his hands on the substitutes' bench as word filtered around the stadium that the Sky Blues needed another goal to qualify.
His team-mate Cavani, who sits behind the 35-year-old as the country's all-time top-scorer, vented his anger at the Video Assistant Referee upon the full-time whistle as he punched the monitor to the floor after being refused a late penalty after a coming together with Ghana defender Daniel Amartey.
South Korea, who pipped Uruguay to the runners-up spot in Group H, will face competition favourites Brazil in Doha on Monday afternoon.
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