• La Liga

Suarez could make debut in Clasico

ESPN staff
July 24, 2014
Nedved upset with Chiellini's reaction

Luis Suarez could make his debut for Barcelona against arch rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

The date of the first Clasico of the new La Liga season is set for the weekend of October 25-26 - with Suarez's four-month suspension coming to an end that Sunday.

Should the TV schedule in Spain call for the game to be moved to the Saturday, however, Suarez would be unavailable to play.

Suarez is serving a four-month worldwide suspension from football-related activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, though the Court of Arbitration for Sport have agreed to review his appeal during the second week of August, according to Spanish news agency Efe.

If Suarez's appeal is successful, the striker would be able to line up for Barcelona in their first league game of the season, at home to Elche on August 24.

The ban - which also precludes him from a further eight matches for Uruguay after he missed their last-16 elimination at the hands of Colombia - does not apply to transfers, meaning Suarez was able to complete a £75 million move to Barcelona last week.

But Suarez can't play for his new club, train with his team-mates or even attend their matches until October 25. The club is hopeful the ban will be reduced and last week president Josep Maria Bartomeu said they would help Suarez integrate back into football.

FIFA's ban also precludes Suarez from being presented as a new Barcelona player and it is not known whether he has undergone a physical for his new club.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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