Luis Suarez appeal: Striker cleared to make Barcelona debut against Club Leon in Nou Camp friendly on Monday

CAS ruled four-month ban will now be for official matches only

James Orr
Thursday 14 August 2014 17:17 BST
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Luis Suarez has been cleared to play in friendly matches
Luis Suarez has been cleared to play in friendly matches (Getty Images)

Luis Suarez is free to make his debut for Barcelona as soon as Monday in their pre-season friendly against Mexico's Club Leon at the Nou Camp, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled today that his four-month ban for biting will now just include official matches, not all football-related activity.

The decision comes after CAS cleared Suarez to train with his new Barca team-mates and play in domestic and international friendlies after he appealed, and ruled that Fifa's four-month ban from all football-activity was "excessive".

Suarez will also now be finally unveiled at the Nou Camp before Monday's game as he is no longer banned from stadiums after the appeal.

The warm-up match will be Barcelona's first home match this summer.

The Club Leon fixture is for the Joan Gamper Trophy, an annual event held at the Nou Camp.

However, Suarez will have to wait until after his ban ends on 25 October to make his competitive debut for the Spaniards - and this remains to be the El Clasico contest against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on 26 October.

Suarez's lawyers said in a statement: "As a result [of the appeal], Suarez is now permitted to train and attend matches with his Barcelona team mates in preparation for the new season."

The Uruguayan was sent home from the World Cup in disgrace after he sank his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and world governing body Fifa hit him with a four-month ban from all football, a nine-match suspension from international matches, and a hefty fine.

Suarez, who joined the La Liga giants from Liverpool for £75m last month, had been unable to train with his new team-mates because of the ban.

The 27-year-old was also not allowed to be unveiled at the Nou Camp after signing.

The incident during the World Cup was the third time in career that the controversial striker had been found guilty of biting an opponent.

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