World football’s governing body have dismissed pleas from both the Uruguayan FA and the player himself over his bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini

Fifa’s Appeal Committee has rejected pleas from Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA over the striker’s punishment for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and has upheld its sanctions.

Suarez was handed a record four-month ban from any kind of football-related activity by world football’s governing body back in June after being found guilty of biting an opponent for the third time in his chequered career. 

The Liverpool striker was also handed a nine-match international suspension and an €82,000 fine.

“The Fifa Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by both the Uruguayan player Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA and to confirm the decision rendered by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee on 25 June 2014 in its entirety,” an official statement reads. 

“The terms of the decision taken by the Fifa Appeal Committee were communicated to the player and the Uruguayan FA on Thursday. 

“The relevant decision is not yet final and binding, i.e. an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) is still possible (cf. art. 67 par. 1 of the Fifa Statutes) by the player and/or the Uruguayan FA, subject to certain conditions.”

The punishment does not prevent Suarez from moving clubs this summer and he is on the brink of completing his sensational transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona after the terms of a deal worth just over €88 million were agreed on Wednesday.

Barcelona have captured Suarez in a straight cash deal after agreeing to meet the release clause in the Liverpool contract he signed last December. 

It is believed that Suarez will undergo initial medical examinations from Barca doctors in his native Uruguay, where he has been staying following his country’s elimination from the World Cup.

The 27-year-old will not be allowed to play for Barcelona until October 26, when his four-month worldwide ban expires.

The Mexico international who starred at this year’s World Cup is now a free agent and says he will take his time before selecting where he will play next season

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa intends to take a fortnight to mull over his next move after starring at the World Cup.

The 28-year-old is a free agent after his deal at French side Ajaccio expired, and he is thought to be courting interest from several teams in Europe.

La Liga outfit Malaga have been tipped as an option after Willy Caballero joined Manchester City, while Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool are also reportedly interested.

Ochoa – who was outstanding in his country’s run to the last 16 at the World Cup – is now considering his next move, but wants to take his time before deciding on his destination.

“I have received several proposals,” he said. “They are from French teams and others from Europe.

“But it’s still not the moment to decide. I am going to analyse everything and take my time.

“So, I am going to enjoy this spare time and, in two weeks, when I have taken a decision, I will let the press know.

“It all depends on the team and where it gets presented. But I will go there being convinced of my decision, being happy, and obviously with the idea of playing.”

The former world heavyweight champion, who himself once infamously bit an opponent in the boxing ring, has defended the Uruguay striker for his actions at the World Cup

Mike Tyson has leapt to the defence of Luis Suarez following the Uruguay striker’s bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.

Suarez was handed a four-month worldwide ban by Fifa after biting the defender during Uruguay’s Group D clash with Italy a fortnight ago.

But former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson, who himself once infamously chewed off part of the ear of Evander Holyfield during a title fight, has empathised with the Liverpool striker.

“Suarez’s bite? I understand it. It was a blackout moment which can happen at times,” Tyson replied during a Q&A on social networking service Reddit.

“It was just one moment in which the competition can make the blood in your veins boil and it overpowers your rationality.

“Sometimes you become something that you are not.”

Tyson is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history, and still holds the record as the sport’s youngest ever champion in his weight category at the age of 20 years and eight months.

Suarez, who also incurred a nine-game ban from international matches as a result of the third biting incident of his career, is believed to be closing in on a transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona, despite his suspension from footballing activity.