The English Football Association on Wednesday suspended Luis Suarez for 10 games for biting Chelsea's defender Branislav Ivanovic on the upper right arm during the 2-2 draw at Anfield last Sunday.

The suspension rules the Uruguay international out for the season's final four league matches and the first six of next season.

The association said in a statement released Wednesday that an independent panel had determined the regular suspension period for violent conduct of three games was "clearly insufficient." He has until Friday to appeal against the additional seven games.

The 26-year-old has admitted to biting Ivanovic and apologized; has been fined by Liverpool. Following the bite, Suarez went on to score an injury-time equalizer midway though the second half.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said he was "shocked and disappointed" at the suspension.

Suarez is Liverpool's top scorer in the league this term with 23 goals.

In 2010, before joining Liverpool, Suarez received a seven-game ban from the Dutch FA for biting an opponent while playing for Ajax Amsterdam.

He also served an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra last year.

hc/ipj (Reuters, AP, dpa)