Liverpool will not appeal against the 10-match ban given to forward Luis Suarez for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, it was confirmed on Friday.
The Liverpool striker had been given two days to decide whether to appeal against the sanction imposed after the incident during the 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday but has not done so.
It means the Uruguay international will miss Liverpool’s last four games of this season and, if he is still at the club, the next six domestic games of next season.
“We are all disappointed at the severity of the punishment and in particular the differing standards that have been applied across various previous incidents,” said Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre.
“Luis is an important member of our team and nothing has changed in that regard.
“We are committed to helping him improve his conduct and he will be given our full support. We look forward to him returning to the team next season when he is available for selection.”
“I acknowledge that my actions were not acceptable on the football pitch so I do not want to give the wrong impression to people by making an appeal,” Suarez wrote on his website.
