Luis Suarez Will Miss Merseyside Derby

FIFA announced today that Luis Suarez will be suspended for 9 international matches as well as 4 months of any football action. The Uruguay striker, who was punished for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, has been given the harshest punishment ever handed out by FIFA for on-field actions. Before this Italian Mauro Tassotti was banned for 8 months for breaking the nose of Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.

Under the terms of the ban Suarez is not allowed to enter any football stadiums and will also pay a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs. Suarez can still appeal the suspension, but as of now has had no comment on the matter.

For Everton fans the benefit is obvious. Luis Suarez will not take part in the Merseyside Derby in the first half of the season. Liverpool is still a dangerous side without him, but any team that loses the best player in the league will suffer.

Suarez can still transfer despite the football activities ban and rumors were already swirling about a possible bid from Real Madrid or Barcelona. It will be interesting to see if those bids continue after this ban is settled.