Luis Suarez bite: Liverpool striker's history NOT taken into account when handing out 10-match ban

Written reasons for conclusions have been published

Luis Suarez pictured training with Liverpool today (GETTY IMAGES)

The FA have revealed that Luis Suarez's previous disciplinary issues were not taken into consideration when an independent panel banned the striker for 10-matches.

Earlier today, Suarez and Liverpool accepted the punishment after reviewing the written evidence.

In the lengthy document published this afternoon, it was noted that the panel "did not take into consideration any previous Disciplinary Records of Mr Suarez and considered the offence in isolation."

That runs contrary to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers who asserted this week: "I honestly believe the punishment has been made against the man and not the incident."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may also be surprised at the latest twist in the biting saga, after earlier declaring he felt the player's history had not helped his cause.

"I believe what has gone completely against Suarez is his history," the Gunners boss said.

"That is very heavy on the offence front and that is why he has been punished so severely. That's the only explanation I can find."

The written reasons describe Suarez's bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic as "extremely shocking, unexpected and truly exceptional."

It was also noted that Suarez had not "fully appreciated the gravity and seriousness of this truly exceptional incident" because he believed a three-game ban was sufficient.

The three-man panel added that the severity of the punishment was such in order to send out strong message.

"We believe it is our duty to discourage any players at any level from acting in such a deplorable manner or attempting to copy what they had seen on the television," said the report.

"The incident of biting an opponent is alien to football and must remain so."

The report added: "This truly shocking incident had been seen by millions of viewers both domestic and overseas, as well as generating a great deal of interest and debate amongst countless numbers of people.

"Whilst we accepted that Mr Suarez's reputation had been impacted, these unsavoury pictures would have given a bad image of English football domestically and across the world alike.

"All players in the higher level of the game are seen as role models, have the duty to act professionally and responsibly, and set the highest example of good conduct to the rest of the game - especially to young players.

"In this regard and on this occasion, Mr Suarez's conduct had fallen far below the standards expected of him.

"We took into consideration Mr Suarez's apology, his personal statement, supporting letter from Mr Brendan Rodgers and the letter from Ms Zoe Ward (Liverpool's secretary).

"But when these were read in conjunction with Mr Suarez's denial of the standard punishment that would otherwise apply for violent conduct is clearly insufficient, it seemed to us that Mr Suarez has not fully appreciated the gravity and seriousness of this truly exceptional incident."