Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Suárez after the Liverpool forward allegedly punched the Chile defender Gonzalo Jara during a World Cup qualifier last month.

The Uruguay Football Association will launch a "strong defence" of the striker. "Suárez is being persecuted by different football leagues, mainly the English, and we think this is unjust because it's a normal action in football," the Uruguay FA president, Sebastián Bauzá told the website of South American football's governing body, Conmebol.

"We will defend him very strongly. We are working with all the videos and pictures showing Suárez reacted to an initial aggression from Jara."

Uruguay have until 17 April to present their response to Fifa.