Luis Suarez could face reduced ban after apology to Giorgio Chiellini

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez’s apology could result in a reduced ban due to his display of contrition, according to the Mail Online.

In the initial report filed to the FIFA Disciplinary Commission by Suarez’s legal team, there was no sign of penitence from the Liverpool striker’s quotes.

“In the run-up to the impact, my knees came together, I lost my balance and that destabilised my body and I fell into my opponent.”

Consequently, FIFA imposed a more severe sanction than expected, giving the Uruguayan forward a nine-game international ban and a four-month ban from all football activities.

But now, under the guidance of Spanish laywer Juan de Dios Crespo – who worked with Barcelona on lifting their transfer ban – Suarez has apologised for his bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, which allows his representatives to make a plea for mitigation.

As such, it is likely that Suarez’s ban will be reduced, allowing him to turn out for Barcelona earlier next season should the purported transfer go through.

Uruguayan press have mirrored these sentiments regarding a reduction in Suarez’s ban, with El Pais writing that “there is optimism that the penalty is reduced.”