FA hand Suarez 10-game ban

Luis Suarez has been banned for ten games by the FA, after he was found guilty of violent conduct for biting Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic.

The Liverpool striker has until Friday to appeal the verdict, after the Anfield club said they were “shocked and disappointed at the severity” of the punishment.

“Luis Suarez has been suspended for a total of ten matches after an Independent Regulatory Commission today ruled on a charge of violent conduct,” a statement on the FA website on Wednesday read.

“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 follows an incident with Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in Sunday’s fixture at Anfield. The Liverpool forward had accepted a charge of violent conduct but had denied The FA’s claim that the standard three-match sanction was insufficient for the offence.

“Suarez has until midday on Friday 26 April to appeal the additional suspension, above the standard three matches.”

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre, in a statement published on the club’s website said: “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.”

Suarez has previously been suspended for seven games in 2010, for biting an opponent while he was an Ajax player.

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