Uruguay’s Luis Suarez was served with a ban for four months by FIFA after he was found guilty of biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during a group stage match in the ongoing FIFA World Cup. FIFA had stated that the ban barred him from any kind of football-related activity, however, will not have any effect on any transfer activity should a club choose to buy him. But, the conditions in the ban were still not clear with the Professional Footballers Association who argued that the ban lacked clarity. Speaking to reporters, an FIFpro spokesman said, We agree that the sanction lacks clarity. The concept of being banned from all football-related activities is not defined. BBC took it in their hands to find out how the ban worked exactly, sending a list of around 20 scenarios to FIFA, FA, the PFA and Liverpool. PFA were the only to respond, with FIFA declining to comment on it. Things Suarez can do 1. He is allowed to sign for another club. 2. He can train on his own, given he is not using any of the club’s facilities. 3. He can take part in media interviews and talk about football on social media. 4. He is allowed to play football with his children or friends. 5. He can attend an amateur football match if it is not played in a stadium. 6. He is allowed to watch football. 7. He can play football on consoles. Things Suarez cannot do 1. He is not allowed to train with the Liverpool team. 2. The ban denies him access to the Melwood training ground. 3. He is not allowed to use any of Liverpool’s fitness facilities. 4. He is not allowed to attend any non-league, reserve or youth football game. 5. The ban also denies him to watch football matches played in school, or attend any football activities. 6. He cannot play in a charity match. 7. He is not allowed to take part in a club visit to a children’s hospital. 8. He cannot hand out awards at a junior football club. 9. The ban stops him from attending a football community event and a supporter’s club event. 10. He is not allowed to be involved in campaigns on behalf of Liverpool or Uruguay. 11. Taking part in events for football-based sponsors is also prohibited. Now, some of these conditions may sound bizarre like the one where he is allowed to play a game of football in an electronic device, or visiting a children’s hospital on behalf of his clubs, but it is expected that FIFA will be soon releasing a statement, clarifying the clauses in the ban after his much-awaited move to Spanish club Barcelona is completed.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 14:59:31 +0000