Fifa's disciplinary chief Claudio Sulser admits Barcelona target Luis Suarez was always at 'risk' of harming Liverpool with his behaviour at the World Cup.
Suarez's future appears to lie at the Nou Camp after officials from the Catalan club and Liverpool met in London on Wednesday to thrash out a deal for the controversial Uruguayan striker.
The Reds are holding out for £80million but the 27-year-old appears to have played his last game for the Premier League runners-up after his bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini landed him with a four-month ban.
After denying the charge, which followed Uruguay's 1-0 victory over Italy on June 24, Suarez has since backtracked and apologised – reportedly on the request of Barcelona's hierarchy.
And Sulser, the head of FIFA's disciplinary committee, concedes Liverpool have had a 'problem' to deal with.
"It's a sanction against the player. That is the risk if you are a player and you are sanctioned at the World Cup," he said.
"I agree it's a problem for Liverpool, but the sanction is in the disciplinary regulations."
Suarez has appealed against the ban but Sulser confirmed that the former Ajax striker would be allowed to have a medical ahead of a transfer under the terms of his suspension – which relates to all football-related activities including from stadiums.
"The player cannot have any activity related to football, but a medical examination for a transfer, yes – the sanction is not linked to transfer rights," added Sulser.
"This is still an ongoing case and an appeal has been filed, so I prefer not to give my opinion.
"When the committee was analysing this case, one thing I mentioned in my capacity as the chairman is we don't need to impose an exemplary sanction, we need to have justice and reached the sanction in a very severe case."
While Sulser was unwilling to offer his opinion, Brazilan legend Pele says the punishment handed out to Suarez fits the crime.
"If he was not sanctioned in this way, such incidents could be repeated," said the 73-year-old. "No player can do what Luis Suarez did. I believe that the punishment is fair.
"Fifa's decision is good and is correct because it sets an example."
