Luis Suarez is now “100 per cent” a Barcelona player, says Director of Football, Andoni Zubizarreta.
The Uruguayan striker arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday to complete the formalities of his reported 94 million euro (£75 million) transfer from Liverpool.
But due to the fact he is serving a four-month FIFA ban from all football-related activities after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder at the World Cup, he could not be formally unveiled at the Nou Camp on Wednesday morning.
It therefore fell to new Barca coach, Luis Enrique, and Zubizarreta to answer questions about the club’s latest big-money signing, while expanding further on their wider plans in the summer transfer window.
Suarez will be ineligible to play for Barca – or even to train with his teammates – unless any appeal lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport is successful.
When asked if Barca were making moves to reduce the length of the ban, Zubizarreta told reporters: “Luis Suarez is a Barcelona player for all purposes but the recommendation from our lawyers has been to remain discreet.
“Our lawyers tell us that we should be very prudent with what we say and your question is asking about something that’s could only happen after certain verdicts have been reached.
“Then we’ll be able to explain things better.
“But it’s fact, it’s true. He’s 100 per cent a member of the club.
“We’re speaking to our lawyers to find out the best way of defending his rights but at the moment there’s nothing I can say about that.”
Whether or not Suarez is allowed to make his debut ahead of schedule, the fact he is now securely under contract at the Nou Camp gives Enrique one less headache.
Trending
- Commissioner urges Lagos principals to improve WASSCE results
- Natasha, Akpabio face-off vindicates Yahaya Bello – Senator Karimi
- Lagos to redesign Oshodi Transport Interchange – Commissioner
- Asagba pays courtesy visit to Tinubu, advocates developmental projects
- Tinubu condoles with Katsina governor on mother’s passing
- Consumer group condemns MultiChoice’s subscription disparity between Nigeria, South African customers
- Jide Kosoko speaks on why some ladies join movie industry
- NAPTIP rescues seven girls from Iraq-bound trafficking ring in Abuja hotel