FIFA have imposed a record 9-match ban on Uruguay striker Luis Suarez for his bite earlier this week on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Liverpool player has also been banned from all football from club and country for four months.
An independent disciplinary committee concluded that Suarez, 27, was guilty of misconduct and FIFA spokesperson Delia Fischer confirmed the band would be effective immediately.
"Such behaviour cannot be tolerated, especially during the World Cup", she said.
The first of the nine match ban for Suarez will be served in Uruguay's upcoming match with Colombia at the World Cup and the remaining suspensions will be served during official FIFA World Cup matches, assuming Uruguay qualifies for future tournaments.
Suarez was also fined €82,000 for his part in the incident and has been banned from even entering a football stadium for the duration of the punishment.
The ban as it stands will rule Suarez out of Liverpool matches up to and including their 25th of October clash with Hull City. The first match he will be eligible for will be Liverpool vs Newcastle United on November 1st. He will also miss Liverpool's first three Champions League matches.
This punishment now means that Suarez will have been banned from a total of 34 football matches since 2010, without ever receiving a red card.
Suarez, the Uruguayan FA, but not Liverpool, have a right to appeal but the player will still be banned while any appeal process is underway.
Contrary to some reports, Suarez WILL be eligible for a transfer during this time but won't be allowed to train with any new team until the suspension is served.
This is the longest FIFA ban ever imposed, eclipsing the 8-match ban handed to Italian defender Mauro Tassotti for a foul in the 1994 World Cup.
