Luis Suarez suspension: Maxmum FIFA ban would be two years
By Josh Sanchez
On Tuesday afternoon, Uruguay star Luis Suarez got the world talking when he decided to bite Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. Immediately, people wondering if a Luis Suarez suspension would be handed down and just how long it could be.
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A quick look at history will tell you that the longest suspension ever handed down by FIFA was eight games.
That suspension went to Italy’s Mauro Tassotti, who broke the nose of Spain’s Luis Enrique.
For Suarez, the punishment could be even more lengthy since he is a repeat defender. For those who don’t know, Suarez has had a total of three biting incidents throughout the past few years.
If FIFA decides to make an example of Suarez, who recently served a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, the maximum punishment could keep Suarez out of action for a total of two years.
More: Suarez, Chiellini react to biting (Photo Gallery) | Should Suarez be suspended?
There is some good news for Liverpool, Barcelona or wherever Suarez plays next season, however, because FIFA bans do not affect a player’s eligibility at the club level.
"Fifa’s disciplinary code sets a maximum ban of 24 matches or two years, but the longest ban in World Cup history was eight games for Italy’s Mauro Tassotti for breaking Spain’s Luis Enrique’s nose in 1994 with an elbow …Fifa’s disciplinary code allows action to be taken retrospectively via video evidence even if the incident has been seen by the referee."
FIFA briefly issued a statement on their investigation stating, “We are awaiting the official match reports and will gather all the necessary elements in order to evaluate the matter.”
We will have to wait and see whether or not FIFA decides to bring down the hammer on Suarez and give him the maximum ban, but regardless of the length of his suspension it seems all but certain that Uruguay will be without their star forward in the knockout stage of the World Cup.
This will be the second straight World Cup that Suarez would be suspended for the elimination round of the tournament.
Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided.com throughout the next few weeks for the latest news and results from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.