August 8 – Luis Suarez’ appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has begun in Switzerland, the outcome determining whether the Uruguay international will have to serve a four-month ban for infamously biting an opponent at the World Cup.
Barcelona’s new striker refused to comment as he arrived in Lausanne but the 27-year-old’s legal team are confident the ban will be halved.
If so, the former Liverpool marksman would be available to play from August 25.
FIFA imposed the ban from all football-related activity after Suarez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in a World Cup group game. He was also barred for nine competitive internationals.
Suarez’s legal team are expected to argue that the ban should be limited to international football since the fixture in question had nothing to do with his club career and that he should be allowed to train with Barca.
Suarez’s lawyer Alejandro Balbi told Uruguayan media that the four-month suspension would be “easier to contend against” because it breaches the player’s “fundamental rights”.
CAS had said a final decision is likely to be made “some days after the conclusion of the hearing”, but there is a chance it could be made as soon as the appeal is over.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1752858480labto1752858480ofdlr1752858480owedi1752858480sni@w1752858480ahsra1752858480w.wer1752858480dna1752858480