Updated at 14.56
THE COURT OF Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has today upheld Luis Suarez’ four month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
However, CAS have decided to allow the 27-year old train with Barcelona after joining from Liverpool in a £75million move earlier this summer.
At last week’s hearing in Lausanne, Suarez’s legal team were said to have argued the player should be allowed train with his new club during the suspension and that any ban should be limited to international football.
However CAS today rejected the latter part of that argument saying FIFA’s sanctions against Suarez are “generally proportionate to the offence committed.”
The ruling means Suarez cannot play for Barcelona until October 26 – potentially against Real Madrid – and he remains banned for Uruguay’s next eight competitive matches.
However, the court’s panel has also ruled that the ban on any soccer-related activity is “excessive.” Therefore he is is allowed train with his new club and be involved in any promotional activities.
Additional reporting from Associated Press.
Poor auld Ray is missing a hashtag I think!