Circle your calendars, folks.
Luis Suarez is likely to make his Barcelona debut on Oct. 25 against Real Madrid. Barcelona issued a statement Wednesday, saying that the former Liverpool star will be eligible to play on Oct. 24., according to the Guardian.
“Luis Suárez will be able to play in the ‘clasico’ at the Santiago Bernabéu on 25 October,” Barcelona’s statement said. “The Court of arbitration for sport confirmed to FC Barcelona that the Uruguayan forward’s sanction expires the day before.
“Therefore, Suárez would be able to make his official debut in the match against Real Madrid if that is what (head coach) Luis Enrique decides.”
Suarez bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in front of a global audience during a World Cup game on June 24. Two days later, FIFA hit Suarez with a four-month ban.
Suarez then joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a £65 million ($105.3 million) transfer in mid-July, but his ban prevented the Spanish club from unveiling him.
Suarez appealed the ban and won the right to practice and play in exhibition games with his new team. The CAS also ruled that the ban would take effect from the day of the incident, which makes Suarez eligible to play on Oct. 26.
Suarez now is six weeks away from suiting up for Barcelona in a competitive game. There couldn’t be a better setting for it to happen than at the home of Barcelona’s eternal rival, Real Madrid.
