Liverpool could sue Luis Suarez for breach of contract after his latest biting controversy, a leading employment lawyer has claimed.
The 27-year-old appeared to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during his country’s 1-0 win over the Azzurri in their World Cup clash in Natal yesterday.
The incident came just 14 months after the Uruguayan was handed a 10-match Premier League ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
It is the THIRD time in four years that Suarez has allegedly bitten an opponent, following an incident during his time with Ajax in November 2010.
And according to Glenn Hayes, Employment law Partner at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, then if Suarez is hit with a long ban by FIFA, the Reds could sue their star striker for breach of contract.
“The general position is that Suarez’s behaviour in the work environment would usually represent gross misconduct (given that it could be classified as an assault) and would usually result in the dismissal of an employee in most circumstances.
“If the matter has occurred outside of work and is not connected to it for example in the form of a work social, the issue for the employer would usually be whether the actions of the employee had brought the business into disrepute.
“In the case of Suarez this could easily be argued – particularly as it is the second time an incident like this has happened whilst he has been with the club (third-time overall) and the Anfield Club stood by the player last time despite risk to their reputation and despite his lengthy ban.
“With Barcelona and Real Madrid apparently planning to make significant bids for the player after the World Cup, the decision is whether they are willing to dismiss a player and waive a potential huge transfer fee,” explained Hayes.
“Much will depend on what punishment FIFA hands down but If the ban is sufficiently long so that Suarez is unable to fulfil his contract, this so called ‘frustration of contract’ could lead to claims by Liverpool for breach of contract on the part of Suarez.”
Written by Steve Milne
