LUIS SUAREZ FACES a lengthy suspension after the Football Association said a three-match ban would be “clearly insufficient” as punishment for his bite on Branislav Ivanovic.

Suarez was charged this evening with violent conduct for the incident which occurred during the second half of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Anfield yesterday.

Video footage shows the Uruguyan leaning into Ivanovic and biting the Chelsea defender’s arm following a tussle in the penalty box.

Referee Kevin Friend and his assistants did not see the incident which was retrospectively reviewed by the FA today.

Suarez has until 6pm tomorrow, Tuesday 23 April, to respond to the charge and will then be summoned before an Independent Regulatory Commission which is likely to be convened this Wednesday.

“It is alleged that the conduct of Suarez constitutes violent conduct,” an FA statement said, “and it is The FA’s contention that the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient in these circumstances.”

Suarez was hit with a seven-match ban by the Dutch FA in 2010 after he was found to have bitten PSV’s Ottman Bakkal while playing for Ajax.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said today that Suarez’s latest controversy would not affect his future, but the player has been fined by the club with the money going towards the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

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