Blatter: Suarez ban is severe but correct

The president of football's world governing body has supported the decision to hand the Uruguay international a lengthy suspension, but admitted he thought it harsh

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has supported his organisation's decision to ban Luis Suarez from all football-related activity for four months.

The Uruguay international picked up the sanction after he was found guilty of biting Giorgio Chiellini in his country’s World Cup match against Italy in June.

The attack was the third of a similar nature in Suarez’s career and, although he believes the punishment handed to the 27-year-old is very severe, Blatter has supported the decision.

“As a footballer, I think the penalty is very severe. But as Fifa president, I must accept that the commission have made a decision," he said.

Suarez, who recently joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a deal reported to be worth €95 million, is prohibited from entering stadiums and from training, but Blatter is confident the ban will not hinder his talent once he returns to competitive action.

“Hopefully Suarez will return to football with as much technical and tactical ability, because that is what he showed on the field before his suspension. Hopefully we will see him return to his best again.

“He has just signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world and [because of this] I'm sure he will return to the firmament of football once more."