The international players’ union claims the Uruguay player’s sanction for biting was not designed to properly rehabilitate him and has backed the nation’s intention to appeal

Fifpro has questioned the severity of Fifa’s punishment of Luis Suarez for his latest biting episode.

The Uruguay forward was pictured sinking his teeth into the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup group stage match – an incident that initially went unpunished by the referee.

It was the third charge against Suarez for biting an opponent and on Thursday Fifa hit the player with a four-month ban from all football activity, a nine-match suspension from competitive international fixtures and a fine of 100,000 Swiss Francs (€82,000).

However, the international players’ union thinks the punishment will fail to properly correct Suarez’s behavior, saying that it “infringes his right to work” and “doesn’t offer him the treatment he needs”.

“Luis Suarez deserves all the support he needs including legal support in the appeal case in order to achieve a reduction of the sanctions,” said Fifpro in a statement.

“The fact that Suarez is prohibited from working for a long period must be addressed as it directly infringes his right to work.

“Also the fact that Liverpool FC is affected needs to be an important issue.”

The Uruguay Football Federation is preparing an appeal to Fifa, and Fifpro thinks that such an action can “re-establish the facts in a calm and considered setting.”

If the appeal is dismissed, then the case can be escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which may allow Suarez to play for Liverpool throughout the appeals process.

The 26-year-old England international will undergo a medical on Merseyside on Friday, with his move from the Saints likely to be completed within the next week

By Paul Clennam

Liverpool have agreed a €31 million [£25m] fee with Southampton for Adam Lallana, Goal understands.

The 26-year-old is set to undergo a medical on Merseyside on Friday afternoon, with the move set to be completed next week.

As reported by Goal earlier this month, the winger is keen to join Brendan Rodgers’ side in order to play Champions League football.

Liverpool’s initial €25m [£20m] bid for Lallana, which was made on the final weekend of the Premier League season, was rejected by Southampton.

Mauricio Pochettino was also keen on bringing Lallana to Tottenham but Spurs were reluctant to rival Liverpool’s pursuit of the player.

Lallana, who appeared in all three of England’s World Cup group fixtures, will be Liverpool’s second signing this summer following the arrival of Rickie Lambert from Southampton and Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen.

Lallana’s former club Bournemouth will be due €8m [£6.25m] once the transfer is completed, as they have a 25% sell-on clause in the star’s contract.

The Brazil striker admitted the Uruguay star needed to be punished but feels such a lengthy punishment is heavy handed

Uruguay star Luis Suarez’s nine-game, four-month ban for biting was “too severe”, according to Brazil striker Fred.

Fifa handed Suarez a nine-match international suspension as well as a four-month ban from “any kind of football-related activity” after his bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Fred, whose Brazil side face Chile in the last 16 at the World Cup, said Suarez made a mistake, but feels the punishment was heavy handed.

“You can’t deny that he made a mistake, but myself as a player, as a human being, I understand that inside, players get goosebumps. There’s tension, a fight for space,” he said.

“I think that his punishment is a bit too severe, from my point of view. I debated this with a few people, and most people think that it was fair.

“In my point of view it can end an athlete’s career, four months, nine games and everyone all over it, and criticising the mistake he made.

“I do think he needs to be punished, but I would really like to see Suarez playing at this World Cup here in Brazil.”

Meanwhile, Luiz Felipe Scolari appears set to use Fernandinho ahead of Paulinho in midfield for the clash against Chile on Saturday.

Fernandinho came on at half-time against Cameroon, scoring once and setting up another in a 4-1 win and Fred believes it would make little difference to his team’s approach.

“They are all high-quality players, which have more or less the same characteristics because they are players that play well going forward. And for me this is the most important thing,” he said.

“Someone that can get the ball up front to me and pass it to me. So I just don’t think that the tactical play of the game is going to move that much.”