The FA have hit Luis Suarez with a 10-game ban after the Liverpool striker bit the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
The Independent Regulatory Commission has issued the severe penalty on behalf of the Football Association, adding a further seven games to a mandatory three-game ban for violent conduct.
The ban means Suarez will miss Liverpool’s four remaining games of this season, before serving a further six game suspension at the start of the next.
It is expected that the Uruguay international will fight the lengthy ban by denying the FA’s claim that a standard three-match ban is insufficient given the extraordinary nature of the incident. He has until midday on Friday to appeal the additional suspension.
Suarez did accept the FA’s charge of violent conduct following the clash with Ivanovic during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday. The Liverpool forward was clearly seen biting the arm of the Chelsea defender in the second half and he has already accepted a fine by his club and offered an apology to Ivanovic.
This ban does seem pretty extreme, especially considering the same player only received an 8 game suspension last season for racism, however there’s no excuse for biting an opponent. The club and its fans are obviously fairly shocked and disappointed by the verdict, I’d love to hear your opinions on the situation. Is a 10 game ban too much? Leave your comments in the section below.