Luis Suarez's four-month ban for biting a World Cup opponent has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
But the Uruguay striker, 27, can now train and play in friendly matches, including for new club Barcelona on Monday against Mexico's Club Leon.
A full explanation of the Cas ruling will be published at a later date.
Suarez's lawyers argued Fifa's decision to suspend him from all "football-related activity" for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini was excessive.
His competitive Barcelona debut is likely to be at Real Madrid on 26 October in El Clasico.
Luis Suarez controversies |
|---|
June 2014- Banned for four months from any football-related activity, plus nine international matches, for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini
|
April 2013- Apologises for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and receives a 10-game ban
|
Dec 2011- Given eight-match suspension and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra
|
Nov 2010- Given seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal on the shoulder while playing for Ajax
|
World players' union Fifpro said it was "disappointed that the court had decided not to strongly diminish the sanctions" and "remain of the view the current sanctions are disproportionate in relation to his violation of the Fifa disciplinary code".
Uruguay's Luis Suarez bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their World Cup group game
Suarez will still serve the remaining eight matches of a record nine-match international ban handed down by the world governing body after the Brazil 2014 group match on 24 June.
In addition to being allowed to train and play in friendlies, the former Liverpool player - who has yet to be officially unveiled at the Nou Camp following his £75m move to Barcelona - can also attend matches and take part in promotional activities.
Suarez will now also be available for Uruguay's upcoming friendlies against Japan and South Korea in September and Saudi Arabia the following month.
Cas said: "The sanctions imposed on the player by Fifa have been generally confirmed."
But the court said preventing Suarez from taking part in any football activity was "excessive", as not allowing him to train would have an impact on the player after the suspension had ended.
Suarez's legal team said the appeal was a success, arguing Fifa had "misapplied its own rules when considering the case and the sanction it imposed was disproportionate".
Although they confirmed the possibility of appealing against the Cas decision at the Swiss Supreme Court, the grounds for appeal are "very restricted".
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted : "Luis Suarez's appeal against a four-month ban has failed. He is though, sensibly I think, now allowed to train with the team."
Suarez will miss Barcelona's first 11 games of the season | |
|---|---|
24 August: Elche (H)
|
31 August: Villareal (A)
|
13 September: Athletic Bilbao (H)
|
16/17 September: Champions League
|
21 September: Levante (A)
|
24 September: Malaga (A)
|
28 September: Granada (H)
|
30 September / 1 October:Champions League
|
5 October: Rayo Vallecano (A)
|
19 October: Eibar (H)
|
21 / 22 October: Champions League
| |
Suarez apologised nearly a week after the incident, despite initially claiming to have lost his balance.
He was previously been suspended for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
In 2011, he was also given an eight-match suspension and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
Suarez retuned to Uruguay from the World Cup after his four-month ban was confirmed by Fifa
Suarez looks set to make his competitive Barcelona debut against Real Madrid on 26 October
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment