( CNN ) -- Luis Suarez has been hit with a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic . The Liverpool striker was found guilty by the English Football Association Wednesday following the incident which occurred during his side 's 2-2 draw with Chelsea last Sunday . An FA statement read : `` A three-person Independent Regulatory Commission today upheld the FA 's claim that a suspension of three matches was clearly insufficient and the player will serve a further seven first-team matches in addition to the standard three . The suspension begins with immediate effect . `` The Liverpool forward had accepted a charge of violent conduct but had denied the FA 's claim that the standard three-match sanction was insufficient for the offense . `` The incident was not seen by the match officials and has therefore been retrospectively reviewed . `` Suarez has until midday on Friday , 26 April to appeal the additional suspension , above the standard three matches . '' Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre was unhappy with the severity of the verdict . He told the club 's official site : `` Both the club and player are shocked and disappointed at the severity of today 's Independent Regulatory Commission decision . `` We await the written reasons tomorrow before making any further comment . '' Suarez , 26 , had apologized for his actions and was heavily fined by Liverpool . `` I 've spoken to Ivanovic on the phone so I could apologize directly to him , '' he tweeted . `` Thanks for accepting . '' He added : `` For my unacceptable behavior the club has fined me . `` I have asked the club to donate the money to the Hillsborough Family Support Group for the inconvenience I have created to the Liverpool fans and to Ivanovic . '' It would appear that Suarez 's past record has been taken into account by the FA . The Uruguay striker was given an eight-match ban and a $ 63,000 fine back in 2011 after being found guilty by the FA of racially abusing Manchester United 's Patrice Evra . Suarez also courted controversy in Holland while at Ajax where he was banned for seven games after biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal 's shoulder during a match in November 2010 . The Uruguay star , who has scored 23 goals in the English Premier League , has even drawn criticism from British Prime Minister David Cameron . `` It is rightly a matter for the football authorities to consider , '' a Downing Street spokesman said . `` As part of their consideration , I think it would be very understandable if they took into account the fact that high-profile players are often role models . '' Suarez 's ban is by no means the most severe handed out by the FA . In 1998 , current Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio was banned for 11 games after pushing a referee while playing for Sheffield Wednesday . In 2003 , Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand was suspended for eight months after missing a drugs test . Another Manchester United star , Eric Cantona , was banned for nine months after launching a kung-fu style kick at a supporter during a game at Crystal Palace in 1995 . Former Australia goalkeeper Mark Bosnich was also punished with a nine-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine in 2003 .
Liverpool striker Liverpool hit with 10-game ban by Ivanovic . Liverpool has until Wednesday at midday GMT to appeal against punishment . Luis Suarez `` shocked and disappointed '' at decision .