Friday, 15 August 2014

Suarez to join Barcelona training on Friday before Monday presentation

Suarez to join Barcelona training on Friday before Monday presentationThe player is free to begin working with his new team-mates after CAS reduced the total coverage of his ban from football - though he still cannot play until late October
Barcelona have confirmed that Luis Suarez will begin training with his new team-mates on Friday before being formally unveiled by the club on Monday.

The Uruguayan had been banned from any football activity for four months by Fifa for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup clash between the two countries.

Although he completed his move to Camp Nou from Liverpool shortly after, his suspension meant that he could not attend matches, practise with his colleagues or be presented to the media.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decreed on Thursday that, while the length of his playing ban will stand, he should be allowed to train and visit stadia, leaving Barca free to unveil him at long last.

Barca released a statement via their official website which read: "Following the announcement of the verdict by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the appeal against the sanction imposed on Luis Suarez by Fifa, FC Barcelona hereby announce that the player will join the first team's training session scheduled for tomorrow Friday at 09.30CET in the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

"Likewise, the public presentation of Suarez as a new FC Barcelona player will be held on Monday at the Camp Nou, on occasion of the Joan Gamper Trophy match."

Barca will take on Club Leon in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy clash at Camp Nou, although Suarez is not expected to play any part.

The striker will be free to make his official Barcelona debut during the weekend of October 25-26, when the first Clasico of the season against Real Madrid is set to take place.

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