FIFA statement on CAS decision relating to Luis Suarez

FIFA has taken note of the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case involving the Uruguayan international Luis Suárez, who was sanctioned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee – a decision which was confirmed by the FIFA Appeal Committee – following an incident that occurred during the FIFA World Cup™ match between Italy and Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.
CAS has partially admitted the appeal lodged by Suárez, FC Barcelona and the Uruguayan Football Association but reaffirmed the majority of the original sanctions imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, deciding that: “The sanctions imposed on the player by FIFA have been generally confirmed. However, the 4-month suspension will apply to official matches only and no longer to other football-related activities (such as training, promotional activities and administrative matters).”
Suárez is suspended for nine (9) consecutive official matches of the national team of Uruguay. The first match of the nine-match suspension was served during the final competition of the 2014 FIFA
World Cup Brazil™, with the remaining match suspensions to be served in Uruguay’s subsequent official matches in accordance with art. 38 par. 2a) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. CAS declared Suárez ineligible to play in official matches at any level for a period of four (4) consecutive months, starting on 25 June 2014. Suárez is also ordered by CAS to pay a fine of CHF 100,000, as was originally imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. The sanction in question will cover official matches only and does not include friendly matches.