Suarez to learn CAS ban appeal verdict on Thursday

(AFP) – Luis Suarez will find out on Thursday
whether he has been successful in his appeal to
have a four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio
Chiellini at the World Cup reduced.
The Uruguayan striker last week pleaded his case
to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport,
which announced that it will deliver its verdict at
1300 GMT on Thursday.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will
announce its decision in the matter Luis Suarez, FC
Barcelona and the Uruguayan FA on Thursday 14
August 2014 at around 3pm (local time). This case
was heard on 8 August 2014 at the CAS offices in
Lausanne,” a statement released on Wednesday
said.
“At the request of the Appellants and with the
agreement of FIFA, the CAS has conducted an
expedited arbitration procedure. As a consequence,
the CAS Panel has accepted to render its decision
within a short period of time but with grounds to
follow later.”
Suarez, who has two previous lengthy bans for
biting opponents, was banned from all football-
related activity for four months after biting Chiellini
on the shoulder during a World Cup group game in
the Brazilian city of Natal.
He was also suspended for nine internationals and
fined 100,000 Swiss francs (112,000 dollars), FIFA
ordering its exemplary punishment because Suarez
at first showed no remorse — he later made a full
apology to Chiellini.
He subsequently left Liverpool for Barcelona in a
95-million-euro ($127 million) deal but as it stands
will have to wait until late October before he can
play for his new club.
However, Suarez has been backed in his appeal bid
by world players’ union FIFPro and his lawyers said
last week they were confident of obtaining a
reduction of the ban to two months, meaning the
former Liverpool striker would be available to play
from August 25, and for him to be allowed to train
with Barcelona for the duration of his suspension.