Suarez banned for 10 games for Ivanovic bite

Suarez banned for 10 games for Ivanovic bite

By Alex Young

Apr 24, 2013 3:00:00 PM

The striker has until midday on April 26 to appeal the decision, with Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre expressing his "shock and disappointment" at the punishment

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been suspended for 10 games for violent conduct after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, the Football Association have confirmed.

	CANTONA, THATCHER & BARTON England's other lengthy bans
	Eric CantonaNine months, kicking a fan
	Mark BosnichNine months, failing a drugs test
	Rio FerdinandEight months, missing a drugs test
	Joey Barton12 games, violent misconduct
	Paolo Di Canio11 games, pushing over a referee
	David Prutton10 games, pushing over an official
	Paul DavisNine games, punching an opponent
	Luis SuarezEight games, racial abuse

The Uruguayan was captured by TV cameras biting into the defender's arm in the second half of the two sides' 2-2 draw at Anfield, before later going on to seal the injury-time equaliser.

Suarez accepted the charge on Tuesday, but rejected the FA's notion that a three-game ban should be deemed insufficient and has until midday on April 26 to appeal the decision - with Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre expressing his and the club's "shock and disappointment" at the ban.

The striker is currently set to miss Liverpool's four remaining Premier League games - including the visit of rivals Everton on May 5 - and the Reds' opening six games of the 2013-14 season.

The FA statement read: "Luis Suarez has been suspended for a total of 10 matches after an Independent Regulatory Commission today ruled on a charge of violent conduct.

"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."

This is the second time Suarez has been handed a lengthy ban during his 27-month stay at Anfield after being suspended for eight games after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra last season.

The Uruguayan also received a seven-game ban in November 2010 for biting PSV midfielder Otman Bakkal while at Ajax. ------------------- goal.com