Luis Suarez ban upheld by FIFA

Luis Suarez has failed in his attempts to have his international suspension reduced by FIFA.

The 28-year-old was given a four-month ban from football last year for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.

He was also given a nine-match international ban and was forced to miss Uruguay's Copa America campaign last month.

Suarez has already missed five games for his country, and he will not be able to play again this calendar year, despite writing a formal letter to FIFA earlier this month in a bid to get the suspension reduced.

"As the decision in the relevant case was final and binding, FIFA was not in a position to enter into the merits of the recent request submitted by the Uruguayan FA and Luis Suarez," a FIFA spokesperson told ESPN.

Suarez has scored 43 goals in 82 games for Uruguay.