Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan striker who was transferred to Barcelona earlier this summer, is eligible to return to action on October 25 against Real Madrid. He was suspended by FIFA in June for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.
FIFA handed down a heavy punishment on Suarez following the incident - the striker was banned for nine international matches as well as all football activity for four months. Initially ruled in June 26, Suarez sought to appeal his punishment, but the international football association upheld the discipline a few weeks later in July. However, his suspension didn't stop Barcelona from paying a hefty transfer fee for the Uruguayan.
Barcelona paid Liverpool £75 million for Suarez and signed him to a five-year deal on July 11 - just one day after FIFA upheld his four-month ban. However, they received good news on Wednesday when it became known that Suarez can return to action on October 25 to face Real Madrid, which happens to be the first La Liga clasico of the 2014-2015 season. FIFA issued their punishment on Suarez on June 26, which meant he couldn't return until October 26, but Barcelona's official statement on their website says otherwise.
"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed that the sanction FC Barcelona Uruguayan striker will end the day before midnight on Friday, October 24, and therefore, Suarez could debut in a competitive match with Barca in the party with the Luis Enrique Real Madrid if it sees fit."
The same court also allowed Suarez to train and play in friendly games during his suspension and stated that Suarez's ban would begin on the date he committed the act that led to his punishment, which was June 24. Suarez was forced to miss the team's round of 16 game against Colombia, which they lost 2-0 and resulted in their elimination from the World Cup.
Take a look at the video below that shows Suarez biting Chiellini provided by Slate.com:
