Luis Suarez Gets 10-Game Ban For Biting Opponent

Luis Suarez received a 10-game ban for biting his opponent during Liverpool’s game against Chelsea on Sunday. The incident happened during the game, which turned out to be a 2-2 draw.

Suarez was caught on camera biting Chelsea’s defender Branislav Ivanovic. The 26-year-old has since apologized to his victim.

Along with the 10-game ban, the striker was also fined by his club. Liverpool has until Friday at 12 pm BST to appeal the decision to ban their player.

Luis Suarez, an international player from Uruguay, accepted the Football Association’s charge of violent conduct. However, he claimed the ban should be three games, the standard for violent behavior, instead of 10. Liverpool seemed to agree. The club said they were “shocked and disappointed” by the length of Suarez’s suspension.

A statement by the FA regarding Suarez’s 10-game suspension reads, in part:

“A three-person independent regulatory commission today upheld the FA’s claim that a suspension of three matches was clearly insufficient and the player will serve a further seven first-team matches in addition to the standard three. The suspension begins with immediate effect.”

In response, Liverpool’s managing director Ian Ayra released a statement, saying:

“Both the club and player are shocked and disappointed at the severity of today’s Independent Regulatory Commission decision. We await the written reasons tomorrow before making any further comment.”

Luis Suarez is no stranger to suspension. He has served two already — once in 2010 for biting and once in 2011 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. The striker has also been accused more than once of diving to win penalties and free kicks. He was also criticized for scoring a goal despite an obvious handball during a FA Cup tie this season.

Suarez’s previous penalties were seven games and eight games respectively. There is no standard minimum or maximum punishment for biting in the sport’s disciplinary code. The Liverpool striker’s ban will keep him from playing the last four games of this season as well as the first six of the 2013-2014 season.

Do you think Luis Suarez deserves a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic?

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