Suarez and Barcelona in court to have bite ban reduced
Uruguayan striker hopes to have ban reduced and play for his new club by the end of the month
Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan FA and his new employers, Barcelona, have begun their battle to have the player's punishment for biting an opponent during the World Cup reduced.
The striker arrived at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne on Friday confident that his four month ban would be halved, a decision that would allow him to resume training and make his debut for Barcelona at the end of this month.
Suarez's lawyers are expected to argue that because the offence took place during an international match, the punishment should only apply to international football reports the BBC.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Uruguayan striker sank his teeth into Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during their group-stage match in Brazil. His reward was a £66,000 fine, a nine-match international ban and a four month ban from all football, and Fifa's appeal committee subsequently upheld the punishment.
Suarez's adviser, Alejandro Balbi "also confirmed that the Uruguay FA's lawyers will lead the defence despite reports in Spain that Barcelona's lawyer will represent Suarez," reports The Guardian.
"It is clear that Uruguay are interested in reducing the penalty imposed on Luis by the number of matches while Barcelona want to reduce the sentence by a number of months. But we will defend him on everything," said Balbi.
It could be argued that Suarez would be better served by Barcelona's lawyers, for one of the ironies of his situation is that he is only a Barcelona player thanks in part to the Spanish club's legal team and the court where his case is being heard.
In April Barcelona were hit with a worldwide transfer ban, which was suspended by Fifa after the Spanish club said they would appeal to the CAS to have it overturned. That decision enabled them to buy Suarez from Liverpool for £75m in July.
The CAS says a ruling on the case is not likely until next week.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Who is Darwin Nunez? The ‘modern striker’ signing for Liverpool
Why Everyone’s Talking About Portuguese club Benfica confirm a deal for the Uruguay international worth up to €100m
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League final: blame game begins for chaos in Paris
feature Liverpool call for an investigation as Uefa are accused of a ‘narrative of lies’
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
2022 FA Cup final: Chelsea vs. Liverpool preview, predictions, kick-off time and TV coverage
feature Premier League rivals go head-to-head in another Wembley final
By Mike Starling Published
-
The ‘quadruple’: can Liverpool achieve footballing immortality?
feature With silverware in their sights, Jurgen Klopp’s team are peaking at the right time
By The Week Staff Published