Liverpool’s star gets 8-match ban for racist remark

LONDON (AP) ― Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches and fined $62,000 on Tuesday after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s black defender Patrice Evra.

An English Football Association panel accepted Evra’s allegation that Suarez had directed a racial insult at him during United’s Premier League match at Liverpool on Oct. 15.

“The insulting words used by Mr. Suarez included a reference to Mr. Evra’s colour,” the FA said in a statement, adding that the Liverpool forward had also been warned about his future conduct.

Reacting to the verdict on his Twitter account, Suarez said: “Today is a very difficult and painful day for both me and my family. Thanks for all the support, I’ll keep working!”

The panel’s decision drew a furious response from Suarez’s club.

“Very disappointed with today’s verdict. This is the time when (Suarez) needs our full support,” manager Kenny Dalglish said on his Twitter account, adding in reference the club anthem: “Let’s not let him walk alone.”

In a strongly-worded statement, Liverpool said it was “very surprised and disappointed” with the verdict.

“It is our strong held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suarez did not commit any racist act,” the club said.

“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. “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 American-owned club claimed that Evra stressed in his written statement to the FA that “I don’t think that Luis Suarez is racist” and said the governing body echoed that sentiment in its opening statement at the hearing.

“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 while a corner kick was about to be taken,” Liverpool said. “The club takes extremely seriously the fight against all forms of discrimination and has a long and successful track record in work relating to anti-racist activity and social inclusion. We remain committed to this ideal and equality for all, irrespective of a person’s background.

The club pointed out that Suarez is “of a mixed race family background as his grandfather was black.”