by Our Sports Desk

FIFA yesterday rejected an appeal by Luis Suarez and the Uruguay Football Federation (AUF) against his four-month ban from all football activities for biting an opponent.

The appeal was lodged against the sanctions imposed on the Liverpool striker by Fifa’s disciplinary committee for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. They included a nine-match international ban plus a 100,000 Swiss franc (£66,000) fine.

Fifa head of media Delia Fischer said: “The Fifa appeal committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by both the Uruguayan player Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA and to confirm the decision rendered by the Fifa disciplinary committee on June 25 in its entirety.

“The terms of the decision taken by the Fifa appeal committee were communicated to the player and the Uruguayan FA today.”

Both the player and the AUF can make a further appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Fischer added: “The relevant decision is not yet final and binding, ie an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport is still possible by the player and/or the Uruguayan FA, subject to certain conditions.”

The disciplinary committee’s initial decision took into account there had been no remorse from Suarez and the fact it was the third time he had been involved in biting an opponent.

After lodging his appeal, Suarez did then issue a formal apology to Chiellini and vowed never to bite anyone again.

The player was sent home from the World Cup in disgrace and faces being out of club football until the end of October, during which time he will not be allowed to train with a club.

Fifa has confirmed that the ban will not stand in the way of any transfer to Barcelona, who are close to agreeing a deal with Liverpool, nor of Suarez having a medical at a prospective new club.

Reports in Spain say a deal for the Uruguayan striker will be announced next Wednesday with the two clubs yet to reach an agreement on the structure of the payments, with the Anfield club asking for the majority of the reported £75 million up front.

But it seems that the imminent sale of Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal for £30m will help Barcelona with the funds needed to complete the deal for last season’s Premier League top scorer.