Luis Suarez Will Miss Rest of the Season After FA Charge
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will miss the rest of the season after The Football Association charged with Uruguyan with violent conduct after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
A violent conduct charge is normally punishable with a three-game ban however such is the severity of the incident in the eyes of The FA, Suarez will recieive a greater sanction and will miss at least Liverpool's final four games of the season
The FA have triggered a retrospecitive ban after the match officials led by referee Kevin Friend missed the coming together between the two players during the 2-2 draw at Anfield.
"It is alleged that the conduct of Suarez constitutes violent conduct and it is The FA's contention that the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient in these circumstances," an FA statement read.
Suarez has since the incident been fined by Liverpool, money of which has been donated to the Hillsborough Families Support Group, and issued two separate apologies after being seen to bite Ivanovic in the second half on Sunday.
"For my unacceptable behaviour yesterday the club has fined me today, I have asked the club to donate the money to the Hillsborough Family Support Group for the inconvenience I have created to the Liverpool fans and to Ivanovic," Suarez said.
The 26 year old has previously been banned for seven games for biting during an Eredivisie match against PSV Eindhoven in 2010 while playing for Ajax, and the Professional Footballers' Association have pledged to offer support to Suarez who will undergo rehabilitation.
The episode could bring an end to Suarez's season during which he has topped the Premier League scoring charts while he is among the front runners to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.
The Uruguay international will be absent for the games against Newcastle United, the Merseyside derby against Everton, the trip to Fulham and the final game of the campaign against Queens Park Rangers but his absence could be extended into next season.
Managing Director Ian Ayre has denied suggestions that Suarez, who was banned for eight matches in 2011 after racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, would be sold this summer after a succession of incidents which have screwtinised the Liverpool's continued support of the forward.
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