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FIFA disciplinary chief Claudio Sulser defended the decision yesterday to impose a ban on Luis Suarez that also hit Liverpool.
The snappy striker’s four-month ban from all football-related activity means he cannot play for the Reds until the end of October, even though he bit an opponent while playing for Uruguay.
Sulser said that an all-encompassing ban was the “risk” the player took.
It’s a sanction against the player. That is the risk if you are a player and you are sanctioned at the World Cup.
“I agree with you it’s a problem for Liverpool, but the sanction is in the disciplinary regulations.”
Uruguay striker Suarez has appealed against the four-month ban imposed for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.
Liverpool remain in talks with Barcelona over the transfer of Suarez, and Sulser had earlier told a news conference that the player would be allowed to have a medical ahead of a transfer under the terms of his ban, which relates to all football-related activities including from stadiums.
Sulser said: “The player cannot have any activity related to football, but a medical examination for a transfer, yes — the sanction is not linked to transfer rights.”
Sulser added that the Suarez bite was “a very severe case” but that the sanctions — which also included a nine-match international ban and a £66,000 fine — were not to set an example, but for “justice.”
