Share

Another lifeline for Suarez

Moscow - Abkhazian club Nart FC are ready to offer Luis Suarez the chance to continue playing football during his four-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.

The 27-year-old Uruguayan was also expelled from the World Cup and handed a nine-match competitive international ban for the incident in a Group D match.

The Republic of Abkhazia is located within Georgia, but claimed independence following Georgia's brief war with Russia in August 2008.

The territory has not been widely recognised by the international community while its local football federation is not part of FIFA.

Gennady Tsvinariya, the president of the club, said Suarez will be able to take part in the Abkhazian national championship.

"Of course we can not offer the Uruguayan footballer a financial package that he is used to, but the Abkhazian championship is at its peak," Tsvinariya told the ITAR-TASS news agency.

"We will be able to offer Suarez the chance to maintain his match fitness."

Earlier, Hajvalia from Kosovo offered the Liverpool striker, who is reportedly in talks with Spanish giants Barcelona for a possible transfer, the chance to play for their side while he serves his ban.

The Kosovo Football Federation is also not a member of FIFA and are therefore not governed by the world soccer body.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Ulster 35
Benetton 27
loading... Live
Scarlets 20
Sharks 27
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 941 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 458 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE