Game over: Suarez suspended with four-month ban for bite, flies home

Luis Suarez has been suspended for nine international matches and banned from football for four months for biting an opponent. The ruling means the striker’s World Cup is over and will come as a blow to his club Liverpool—who will be without their star player for the start of the Premier League season. FIFA took action after Suarez sank his teeth into Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder during Uruguay’s clash with Italy on Tuesday.

Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and particularly at the World Cup.

Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee

FIFA also banned the 27-year-old from entering any stadium where Uruguay are playing during his suspension—barring him from cheering on his teammates when they take on Colombia in the tournament’s second round on Saturday. Suarez has also been fined £100,000 Swiss Francs (US$112,000) as part of his punishment. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested the ban could push the club to sell Suarez, telling Sky Sports News: “They may think now’s the time to cash in.”

Liverpool Football Club will wait until we have seen and had time to review the FIFA Disciplinary Committee report before making any further comment.

Ian Ayre, Liverpool FC chief executive

Suarez Sports