Suarez accepts seven-match ban by Dutch federation

Published Nov. 24, 2010 10:45 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ajax striker Luis Suarez has accepted a seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal in a league match.

Ajax, which unilaterally fined Suarez on Monday and banned him for two matches, said it would not appeal against the Dutch Football Federation's proposed ban, meaning no disciplinary hearing will be held and Suarez's ban will start immediately.

The federation accused Suarez of "a violent act - biting an opponent."

Suarez's domestic ban will keep him sidelined until Feb. 4 next year. He remains eligible to play in the final Champions League Group G match against AC Milan on Dec. 8.

The referee did not see the incident in injury time of Saturday's 0-0 draw and Suarez was not punished. After the incident, Bakkal pulled down his shirt to show a red mark on his collarbone.

The incident has drawn comparisons to boxer Mike Tyson biting off part of Evander Holyfield's right ear in a 1997 bout and top-selling Dutch daily De Telegraaf branded Suarez the "Cannibal of Ajax."

The federation said it had taken the Uruguay striker's previous conduct into account in reaching its punishment. Suarez still had a suspended one-match ban hanging over him following a red card in the season-opening Johan Cruyff Bowl match in July.

Suarez was one of the stars of this year's World Cup, scoring three goals for Uruguay. But his scoring prowess was overshadowed by his deliberate handball on the line in the dying seconds of the quarterfinal against Ghana. He prevented a goal and Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing spot kick. Uruguay then went through on penalties.

With Suarez suspended, Uruguay was knocked out in the semifinals by the Netherlands.

Suarez's Ajax teammate, Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, reportedly texted him after the handball saying he should be named goalkeeper of the tournament.