CAS upholds Suarez's four-month ban

Luis Suarez will train with his Barcelona teammates today after his ban for biting an opponent at the World Cup was softened but not shortened.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Thursday the Uruguay forward, who recently left Liverpool for Barcelona, deserves his four-month ban from playing official matches for both his club and his country.

CAS did, however, clear Suarez to start training with his club, and Barcelona said he will join practice for the upcoming season today, and have his formal introduction to the media and fans Tuesday. He could play in a club friendly Monday.

Suarez bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder during Uruguay's 1-0 win at the World Cup on June 24. He denied it at first, but later admitted it and apologized within days.

"The sanctions imposed on the player were generally proportionate to the offense committed," the court said in a statement.

Suarez can next play a competitive match Oct. 25, and it should be worth watching. Barcelona has an away match against Real Madrid then, the first clasico of the Spanish league season.

Suarez remains banned for Uruguay's next eight competitive matches and will miss next year's Copa America and some World Cup qualifiers.

Still, the court confirmed he is allowed to play non-competition friendly matches under the terms of FIFA's disciplinary rules.

On Monday, Suarez could make his Barcelona debut against Mexican club Leon at Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy, a traditional season-opening match named for the Catalan club's founder, used to present its team for the new season.

Uruguay has friendlies scheduled for Sept. 5 in Japan and Sept. 9 in South Korea. Suarez is eligible to play in those.

However, Thursday's judgment forces Suarez to miss eight Spanish league matches and three of Barcelona's six Champions League group matches.