Luis Suárez has been banned for nine matches plus four months from all football activity by FIFA for his bite on Giorgio Chiellini.

Suárez will miss the remainder of the World Cup, as well as the first nine matches of his club season.

“Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field. The Disciplinary Committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suárez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated,” said Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

FIFA indicated that the ban will not prevent Liverpool from securing a transfer deal involving Suárez. Barcelona has interest in striking a deal to acquire Suárez.