Suarez gets 10-game ban for biting player

LONDON - Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for 10 matches by the English Football Association on Wednesday for biting an opponent during a Premier League match, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said Suarez and the club were “shocked and disappointed’’ at the punishment.

The FA said in a statement that a three-man independent panel ruled that the regular suspension of three games for violent conduct was “clearly insufficient’’ after Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic on the upper right arm during the 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday. He wasn’t sent off because the referee didn’t see the bite, which was reviewed later.

Suarez has until Friday to appeal the further punishment.

“We await the written reasons tomorrow before making any further comment,” Ayre said in a Liverpool statement.

Suarez admitted to biting Ivanovic and apologized to him after the match. He also received a fine from Liverpool and was rebuked by the government on Monday.