An unnamed source from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) tells Goal.com that Luis Suarez’s four-month ban for biting could be reduced, allowing the newly signed Barcelona striker toplay in the club’s first game of the 2014-15 La Liga season.
The 27-year-old Uruguay international was fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($111,000) and received a nine-match international banin addition to being suspended for four months from “any football-related activities” by world governing body FIFA for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup group stage matchin Brazil in June. After having his initial appeal against the punishment rejected by FIFA, Suarez has since signed for La Liga giant Barcelona, which decided to take the matter to the EuropeanUnion’s Court of Arbitration for Sport.
A source from the CAS now says that while Suarez’s ban from international soccer will remain in place, his four-month suspension would likely bereduced — meaning he could be able to begin the new La Liga campaign with Barca. “Now that the case has arrived at CAS, it is very likely that we will reduce the penalty,” the source said, adding:”The ban would only apply to the Uruguay national team and not to Barcelona.”
Under the terms of his current suspension, Suarez is unable to train with his new team and cannot step foot insideany soccer training ground or stadium. His appeal against the four-month ban will be heard during the second week in August.