LIVERPOOL’S Luis Suarez has been handed an eight-match ban and a £40 000 fine by the Football Association (FA) after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra. The Uruguay striker, 24, clashed with the France defender during the 1-1 draw at Anfield on October 15.
Suarez, who denied the allegations, has 14 days to appeal against the decision.
He tweeted: “Today is a very difficult and painful day for me and my family. Thanks for all the support.”
Liverpool, who had backed their player throughout the case, said the club was very surprised and disappointed with the decision.
A club statement said: “We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone.
“No-one else on the field of play – including Evra’s own Manchester United teammates and all the match officials – heard the alleged conversation between the two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth.”
Liverpool added: “It appears to us that the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suarez, even before interviewing him at the beginning of November.
“Nothing we have heard in the course of the hearing has changed our view that Luis Suarez is innocent of the charges brought against him and we will provide Luis with whatever support he now needs to clear his name.”
The seven-day hearing, which concluded yesterday, was told Suarez used insulting words including a reference to Evra’s colour.
The FA statement added: “The penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal, or the time for appealing expires, or should Mr Suarez decide not to appeal.
“The reason for this is to ensure that the penalty does not take effect before any appeal so that Mr Suarez has an effective right of appeal.”
The Reds striker told media in Uruguay that he “called him something his team-mates at Manchester call him”.
Evra made his claims immediately after the match and was quoted as telling French TV station Canal Plus: “There are cameras; you can see (Suarez) say a certain word to me at least 10 times.”
The Frenchman reported his complaint after the game to match referee Andre Marriner who included it in his report.
Suarez is facing a separate charge from the FA over an alleged abusive hand gesture he made as he left the pitch following Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat by Fulham on December 5. (BBC Sport)