Suarez appeal verdict set for Thursday

Luis Suarez will learn the result of his appeal against a four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during this summer’s World Cup on Thursday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has announced.

The Uruguay striker, 27, was punished by Fifa for biting Giorgio Chiellini during his country's 1-0 group-stage victory over Italy at the World Cup.

The former Liverpool star was banned from “all football-related activity”.

Suarez, who joined Barcelona for £75m in the summer, argued the terms of the ban were excessive.

His legal team were expected to argue that he should be allowed to train with his new side during his suspension and they also claimed that the ban should be limited to international football - the player was also suspended for nine international matches in addition to the four-month ban.

Suarez's appeal was heard by CAS - an international sport tribunal which aims to settle disputes - in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday.

Its verdict is expected to be released at 15:00 CET on Thursday, with the detailed reasons for the decision published at a later date.

The ban handed down from world governing body Fifa was the largest in World Cup history.

Suarez apologised afterwards, despite initially claiming to have lost his balance.

He has previously been suspended for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Having scored 31 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season, Suarez was voted player of the year by both the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers' Association.