Luis Suarez’s four-month ban for biting was upheld by the European Union’s Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday, but as a result of the appeal, the Uruguayan striker did gain theright to train with his club and play in both club and international friendly matches, as well as the ability to attend soccer matches and appear in promotional materials.
The decision meansthat Suarez will remain out of action for Barcelona until Oct. 26, which, coincidentally, is the same day as the first El Clasico of the season away to Real Madrid. He will also continue to serve theremaining eight matches of a record nine-game international ban that was part of the sanctions handed down by FIFA after Suarez was found guilty of biting Italy’s GiorgioChiellini during a World Cup game in June.
Immediately following news of CAS’s decision, World players’ organization FIFPro said it was “disappointed that the court haddecided not to strongly diminish the sanctions.” CAS will publish the reasons for its decision at a later date.