RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 2012 Volume 39, UK and Europe
Luis Suarez racism row: Liverpool attack Patrice Evra and FA over ban
Liverpool have launched a vigorous defence of Luis Suarez, while attacking Patrice Evra and the Football Association after the striker was handed an eight-man ban for racial abuse.
The Reds released a strongly worded statement on their official website moments after news first broke that the Uruguayan had been handed the unprecedented punishment from the FA .
The lengthy message could now cause further problems for the Anfield outfit, as well as Suarez who is awaiting the outcome of another charge relating to a hand gesture he made to Fulham fans.
In an attempt to discredit Evra's account of the incident, Liverpool said: ‘We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when 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.
‘It is our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible - certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations.’
That is a reference to previous cases involving the Frenchman, when he claimed a member of Chelsea’s groundstaff racially abused him in 2008 and that former Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan did likewise in 2006. Both claims were thrown out.
The Reds then referenced Suarez’s ‘mixed race family background’ and previous involvement with black team-mates, before going on to slam the FA over a perceived witch-hunt.
‘It appears to us that the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suarez, even before interviewing him at the beginning of November,’ the statement added.
‘We would also like to know when the FA intend to charge Patrice Evra with making abusive remarks to an opponent after he admitted himself in his evidence to insulting Luis Suarez in Spanish in the most objectionable of terms.
‘Luis, to his credit, actually told the FA he had not heard the insult.’
Suarez and Liverpool still have the right of appeal over the ban.
If they decided to take this up it would mean the Uruguayan's punishment would be suspended until the outcome of that appeal - meaning he could still be involved in the team's Christmas fixtures.
