Friday, 12 October 2012 09:04

LONDON: The Uruguay FA have slammed Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce’s attack on Luis Suarez, Daily Star reported.

Boyce labeled the Liverpool striker a cheat and claimed diving had become a cancer in the game after watching his theatrical tumble against Stoke last weekend.

But the Uruguayans have protested to Fifa about one of their senior figures breaking his organization’s own code of conduct – and hit out at him likening simulation to a disease that kills millions around the world.

They are angry Boyce chose to single out Suarez, claiming his comments “encourage and provoke hostility” towards the 25-year-old striker.

“The Uruguay Football Association have become aware of statements made by the vice-president of Fifa, Mr Jim Boyce,” said the letter.

“These expressions refer to the Uruguayan player Luis Suarez, calling his conduct an act of‘cheating’ and that such a situation is a ‘cancer’ for football.

“We understand that this kind of comment, coming from a person who holds the position of vice- president of Fifa – with specific reference to a football player and linking their actions to a disease that is a scourge on humanity – are at odds with the principles governing world football.

“Deliberately ignoring his position and role, Mr Boyce has referred specifically to a football player, encouraging and provoking hostility towards them.”

Earlier this week, Boyce said: “I watched the Suarez incident (against Stoke last weekend) and to me it is nothing less than a form of cheating. It is becoming a bit of a cancer in the game.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool were rocked this morning by the news that striker Fabio Borini, 21, has broken a bone in his right foot.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is already short up front after Andy Carroll went out on loan.

Now Rodgers has just one fit striker available in Suarez, after Borini was hurt training with Italy Under-21s. He could be out for up to six weeks.

Former Italy star Alessandro Del Piero yesterday, meanwhile, admitted he turned down a move to Liverpool in the summer because of the Heysel disaster, when 39 Juventus fans died before the start of the 1985 European Cup final in Brussels.