Barcelona and Uruguay Striker Luis Suarez's Hearing Set for 8 August

Controversial striker Luis Suarez's appeal against his ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) will be held on 8 August, according to reports.

The 27-year-old has been granted an 'express hearing' as he hopes to have his four-month ban handed by Fifa considerably reduced. The Uruguayan international was handed stringent punishment for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their Group D fixture at the World Cup on 24 June.

The former Ajax and Liverpool star is currently not allowed to participate in any football-related activity, which also prevents him from setting foot inside the stadium. Last month, his appeal was rejected, as Fifa reaffirmed their stance on the verdict delivered on 25 June.

The international players' union said in a statement in the aftermath of the verdict, about Fifa's ban infringing Suarez's right to work. Suarez will be eligible to play from 26 October, which could be the day the 'El Clasico' clash between Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid be scheduled.

Reports also suggest that the Catalan giants have requested the Cas to allow him to train during the course of the ban. Fifa's punishment for Suarez also included a fine of CHF 100,000 (£65,610) and a nine-match international ban.

However, Barcelona and Suarez will be more concerned with getting his four-month ban trimmed and if everything ends on a positive note, see the striker in action as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, another of the Catalan giants' summer signing Jeremy Mathieu hailed Suarez as a strong character and backed him to come good on the field.

"We know Luis Suarez has a very strong character and that he is a great player. I think after the ban he will show what he is capable of and that everyone will be very happy to have him at Barcelona," the 30-year-old French defender explained.

"To be honest, if he bites me, I will do nothing. But I think he will learn from his mistakes for sure. He is a great player, and hopefully that will never happen again," he concluded.