The world players’ union FIFPro called for Luis Suarez’s ban for biting to be reduced yesterday as the Uruguay and Barcelona forward’s appeal was taking place at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FIFPro said that the ban was excessive and that Suarez had been “trialled and vilified in public” for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during their World Cup match in June.

The 27-year-old has been banned from all football activity for four months and suspended for nine competitive internationals by FIFA following the incident which shocked audiences worldwide.

The Uruguayan football association (AUF) took the case to CAS, sports highest tribunal, on Suarez’s behalf after losing an appeal at FIFA.

The hearing was held behind closed doors and CAS said in a statement that “the final decision is likely to be rendered some days after the conclusion of the hearing.”

FIFPro said in a statement that “the sanctions are a disproportionate response to the offence.”

FIFPro added that Chiellini himself had called for the bans to be reduced.

“That Luis Suarez has been trialled and vilified in public, ever since the incident, is a sanction in itself,” said the Dutch-based association.

“On the other hand, it has been remarkable to see the response from his fellow professionals and the victim himself, Chiellini.

“Many agree the sanctions are excessive. This is an important signal for the CAS panel to consider.”

Suarez, wearing a checked shirt, brushed aside photographers and refused to make any comment as he arrived by taxi at the CAS headquarters in a Lausanne suburb.

Banned twice before for biting, he initially denied sinking his teeth into Chiellini but then apologised for the incident one week later.

The ban means that Suarez will not be able to make his Barcelona debut until the end of October and will miss the whole of next year’s Copa America in Chile, when Uruguay play their next competitive matches.