BERNE, Switzerland, (Reuters) – Uruguay forward Luis Suarez’s four-month playing ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) although he will be allowed train with his new club Barcelona.
CAS said in a statement that it had removed the clause which banned the 27-year-old from “any football-related activity” following an appeal by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) on Suarez’s behalf.
The Barca player remains ineligible to play in official matches during the four-month period, and his nine-game international ban also stays in force following the notorious incident during the World Cup group game on June 24 which Uruguay won 1-0.
However, a spokesman for soccer’s world governing body FIFA said he could play in friendly internationals for club and country. This could allow him to make his Barcelona debut against Mexican side Leon on Monday if selected.
“The sanctions imposed on the player by FIFA have been generally confirmed,” CAS said in a statement. “However, the 4-month suspension will apply to official matches only and no longer to other football-related activities (such as training, promotional activities and administrative matters).”
“It has however considered that the stadium ban and the ban from “any football-related activity” were excessive given that such measures are not appropriate to sanction the offence committed by the player and would still have an impact on his activity after the end of the suspension.”
Suarez’s legal team said they had successfully argued that FIFA had misapplied its own rules when considering the case and the sanction it imposed on other football-related activities was disproportionate.
“As a result, Suarez is now permitted to train and attend matches with his Barcelona team mates in preparation for the new season,” his lawyers said in a statement.
Barcelona said in a statement that the forward would train with the La Liga club on Friday and will be presented as a Barca player at the Nou Camp on Monday when they play Leon.
“I expected something different, although not much,” said AUF president Wilmar Valdez in a statement.
“CAS is a totally independent tribunal and this is to do with the way people see things, it’s a cultural matter. The way we live football in South America is different to Europe.
“For us there are things which are normal and which deserve sanctions, but not such harsh ones.
“The training is something positive because not being able to train was too tough.
“It was shown in the World Cup, in the matches Suarez did not play in, that he is a fundamental player. We will have to work to look for the appropriate alternatives.”
AUF lawyer Daniel Cravo told Sky Sports News: “We don’t think it was the worst behaviour of a player in a World Cup. We have seen worse situations and the players haven’t been sanctioned in that level.”
Uruguay and Italy were drawing 0-0 when the incident happened late in the game. Shortly afterwards, Diego Godin headed the winner from a corner to send the South Americans into the last 16 at Italy’s expense.
