Uruguay and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez visited Switzerland with his legal team to appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to reduce his ban for biting an opponent during a Brazil World Cup match.
Luis Suárez returns to Barcelona after CAS declaration
Barcelona's new striker and his representatives, were at the CAS headquarters in the Swiss city of Lausanne on Friday morning for the six-hour hearing as they attempted to persuade the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to halve his suspension.
The player's lawyers and those hired by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) arrived immediately afterwards in separate cars. "We have to temper our optimism because we respect the court", said AUF lawyer Daniel Cravo.
After making his declaration, Suárez got into a vehicle which took him to the airport to fly back to Barcelona.
The CAS said in a statement released that a decision would be made "probably before the end of next week".
FIFA slapped Suárez with a four-month ban from any football-related activity and a nine-game ban from playing for Uruguay. If the CAS does not reduce the ban, Suárez will be unable to play an official game or train with his teammates until 26th October, when Barcelona visit Real Madrid.
Suarez’s lawyers left CAS headquarters at lunchtime having argued the incident took place while the former Liverpool star was playing for his country and should be limited to international football.
The Panel of CAS arbitrators consisted of the president, Mr Bernhard Welten from Switzerland, his compatriot Dr Marco Balmelli and Professor Luigi Fumagalli from Italy.
It has been reported that Suarez's legal team are confident of obtaining a reduction to two months and for their client to be allowed to train with Barcelona for the duration of his suspension. If successful, he would be available to return to action on August 25.
Suarez's lawyer and adviser Alejandro Balbi, also a member of the Uruguay FA's executive, admitted there was less chance of overturning the nine-match ban, but said there is scope for the four-month suspension to be reduced on the grounds that it infringes the player's fundamental rights.
Barcelona paid Liverpool £75million for Suarez after he received his FIFA ban, which, as it stands, keeps him out until October 25.
FIFPro, the world players' union, supports a reduction in Suarez's punishment at domestic and international level.
A statement on the organisation's website read: "That Luis Suarez has been trialled and vilified in public, ever since the incident, is a sanction in itself.
"On the other hand, it has been remarkable to see the response from his fellow professionals and the victim himself, Giorgio Chiellini.
"Many agree the sanctions are excessive. This is an important signal for the CAS panel to consider. The sanctions are a disproportionate response to the offence.
"Especially the four-month ban from all football-related activity, which is unfair for Suarez as it infringes his right to work at club level.
"In the international arena, where the offence was committed, a nine-match ban for Uruguay is also too strong as it effectively equates to a two-year sanction.
"FIFPro states the educative nature of the sanction mentioned by FIFA in the ruling can be much better achieved by making it partially conditional, including the obligation for Luis Suarez to receive treatment.
"This can be applied on the number of matches but also on the period of the ban. The FIFA appeals committee missed an opportunity to take this into account. FIFPro expects that CAS will respect these assumptions."
No comments:
Post a Comment