Liverpool have decided NOT to appeal against Luis Suarez’s 10 match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
The deadline for lodging an appeal was noon on Friday, and a FA statement released shortly after read:
Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has not appealed the suspension issued to him by an Independent Regulatory Commission this week.
A three-person Independent Regulatory Commission upheld The FA’s claim that a suspension of three matches was clearly insufficient and the player will now serve a further seven first-team matches in addition to the standard three.
The suspension begins with immediate effect and applies to Liverpool FC’s next ten domestic first-team fixtures.
This sanction followed an incident with Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in Sunday’s fixture at Anfield (21 April 2013).
The FA intends to publicise the Independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons in due course.
Suarez and Liverpool had made their opinion that a ban of three matches was sufficient prior to the 10 match suspension being given by The FA. There was a possibility that they would appeal the extra 7 matches.
Ultimately, any appeal would be fruitless, nobody wins an appeal with The FA. By not appealing Liverpool and Suarez have chosen not to upset the authorities further.
A statement from Liverpool and Suarez is expected shortly.
More to follow.
Do you think Liverpool are right not to appeal? Let us know in the comments below.
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