MADRID, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona striker, Luis Suarez was in Geneva on Friday as he attempts to have the four month suspension which he was given for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup finals lifted by the Court of Arbitration in Sport.
The Uruguay international was given an eight match international ban and also a four month ban from any official football related activity, such as training with his new club, as the result of his actions, with the governing body of World football, FIFA, taking into account that it was the third biting incident in Suarez's career.
At the time the ban was imposed, the Uruguayan was a Liverpool player, but completed a move to Barcelona, after the English club decided to sell, perhaps tired of defending a player who has had to serve suspensions for alleged racism and biting during his time in England.
Suarez entered the CAS building shortly after 8am after being cited to appear at 8.30 in the morning. He was accompanied by his representative, Pepe Guardiola (the brother of former Barca coach, Pep Guardiola), his lawyers and various representatives of his club, such as Vice-President, Tony Freixa and the head of the Barca's judicial services, Laura Anguera.
Representatives of the Uruguayan Football Association were also present and Alejandro Balbi, the Secretary of the UFA and Suarez' s personal lawyer commented that the declaration "could last for a long time. There are a lot of questions to be answered for Luis, Barca and FIFA, so we are expecting a long day."
That was indeed the case and it was not until 13.45 local time that Suarez left the building to return to the airport, while the club officials were due to return on a flight taking off at 18.40.
Speaking after the hearing Balbi said he expected the CAS to make a decision, "within 8-10 days," adding he was "satisfied," with the hearing, although admitting the need to "be prudent," over the final decision.