MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP):

Luis Suarez has been left off a preliminary list of players for Uruguay's international friendly matches next month against Japan and South Korea, even though he was eligible to play after his biting ban was softened.

Suarez is banned from Uruguay's next eight competitive matches for biting an opponent during the World Cup, meaning he will miss next year's Copa America and some World Cup qualifiers.

However, the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that Suarez is not banned from playing friendlies. Still, the South Americans elected not to call him up yesterday for the two matches.

Suarez is also banned from playing competitive matches with his new club team, Barcelona, until late October.