The News
Saturday 09 of November 2024

Suárez Returns to Uruguay Squad After Biting Ban


Arsenal v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg
Arsenal v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg
Luis Suárez is set to return to the international stage for the first time since the 2014 World Cup

MONTEVIDEO – Uruguay striker Luis Suárez is set to play his first competitive international later this month since being banned for biting an opponent at the 2014 World Cup after he was called up on Friday for qualifiers against Brazil and Peru.

Luis Suárez has been in majestic firm all season for Barcelona. Photo: Reuters/Albert Gea.
Luis Suárez has been in majestic firm all season for Barcelona. Photo: Reuters/Albert Gea.

Barcelona’s Suárez was suspended for nine games after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil.

He was among 28 players named in Óscar Tabárez’s squad to face Brazil away in Recife on March 25 and Peru in Montevideo four days later, the Uruguayan FA announced on Friday.

Uncapped Genoa midfielder Diego Laxalt and Manchester United right back Guillermo Varela were called up for the first time.

The Uruguayan FA shared an image of those selected to take part of the qualifiers with Suárez at last available for selection.

Uruguay are second in the 10-team South American standings behind Ecuador with three wins in four games.

The top four qualify automatically for the 2018 finals in Russia while the fifth-placed team goes into an intercontinental playoff against a team from the Oceania zone.