Liverpool's striker, Luiz Suarez has been handed an 8-match ban for misconduct. Details later

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Luiz Suarez Banned For 8 Matches


The Liverpool striker Luis Suárez has been banned for eight matches and fined £40,000 after being found guilty of misconduct, regarding "using insulting words towards" Patrice Evra of Manchester United.

The allegations centred around an incident during a Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on 15 October, during which Evra claimed Suárez racially abused him "at least 10 times".

Both players gave evidence to a three-man panel, led by Paul Goulding QC, as did the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, who has vigorously defended the Uruguay player since the allegation was made by Evra to the French television station Canal Plus after the game. Liverpool's defence involved arguing that the word "negro" does not necessarily have racist connotations in Uruguay. Evra said that was unacceptable and that Suárez was being offensive as the pair clashed repeatedly in the second half at Anfield.

A Football Association statement said: "An independent regulatory commission has today found a charge of misconduct against Luis Suárez proven, and have issued a suspension for a period of eight matches as well as fining him £40,000, pending appeal.

"On 16 November 2011, the Football Association charged Luis Suárez with misconduct contrary to FA Rule E3 in relation to the Liverpool FC versus Manchester United FC fixture on 15 October 2011.

"A hearing took place from 14-20 December 2011 before an independent regulatory commission of the FA to consider the charge.

"The independent regulatory commission announced its decision on 20 December 2011, which is as follows:

"Mr Suárez used insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3(1);

"the insulting words used by Mr Suárez included a reference to Mr Evra's colour within the meaning of Rule E3(2);

"Mr Suárez shall be warned as to his future conduct, be suspended for eight matches covering all first-team competitive matches and fined the sum of £40,000;

"the [penalty] is suspended pending the outcome of any appeal lodged by Mr Suárez against this decision.

"The independent regulatory commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course setting out:

(a) the findings of fact made by it;

(b) the reasons for its decision finding the charge proved; and

(c) the reasons for the penalty.

"Mr Suárez has the right to appeal the decision of the independent regulatory commission to an appeal board. An appeal must be lodged within 14 days of the date of the written reasons for the decision.

"The penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal, or the time for appealing expires, or should Mr Suárez decide not to appeal. The reason for this is to ensure that the penalty does not take effect before any appeal so that Mr Suárez has an effective right of appeal.

Liverpool released a statement of their own, saying: "Liverpool Football Club is very surprised and disappointed with the decision of the Football Association commission to find Luis Suárez guilty of the charges against him.

"We look forward to the publication of the commission's judgment. We will study the detailed reasons of the commission once they become available, but reserve our right to appeal or take any other course of action we feel appropriate with regards to this situation.

"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 team-mates 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.

"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.

"LFC considers racism in any form to be unacceptable – without compromise. It is our strong held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suárez did not commit any racist act. It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible – certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations.

"It is key to note that Patrice Evra himself in his written statement in this case said: 'I don't think that Luis Suárez is racist'. The FA in their opening remarks accepted that Luis Suárez was not racist.

"Luis himself is of a mixed race family background as his grandfather was black. He has been personally involved since the 2010 World Cup in a charitable project which uses sport to encourage solidarity amongst people of different backgrounds with the central theme that the colour of a person's skin does not matter; they can all play together as a team.

"He has played with black players and mixed with their families whilst with the Uruguay national side and was captain at Ajax Amsterdam of a team with a proud multicultural profile, many of whom became good friends.

"It seems incredible to us that a player of mixed heritage should be accused and found guilty in the way he has based on the evidence presented. We do not recognise the way in which Luis Suárez has been characterised.

"It appears to us that the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suárez, 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 Suárez is innocent of the charges brought against him and we will provide Luis with whatever support he now needs to clear his name.

"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 Suárez in Spanish in the most objectionable of terms. Luis, to his credit, actually told the FA he had not heard the insult."

This is part of the problem. What exactly is the evidence? For the sake of transparency and credibility, this evidence should be fully disclosed.

But I guess transparency isn't exactly the strong suit of football's biggest organizations (FIFA, UEFA, the FAs).

Without disclosure of the evidence, it's obvious that some people will question the decision, even more so if Terry isn't heavily punished as well.

Okay, the evidence is scanty, but if he really used the word 'negrito', he deserves the ban - that is if.

The evidence was not elaborate, so how on earth did the FA come to that decision? If it was a racist row, surely Evra must have said something, or did he keep mute while Suarez abused him? The English FA is becoming majorly irresponsible. An 8 match ban for some unclear accusation is just over the top! I hope John Terry and other English players get the same treatment for racial abuse.

U can imagine Latino too dey yab black man. Na wa o. This Suarez no know say himself no better pass.

Did nt the John Terry abuse of Ferdinand happen b4 Suarez- Evra?

How come no decision has been reached on JT's case?

And to show how biased the FA were, they are quick to appeal the 3 match ban handed to Rooney even though the whole world saw that he deserved to be punished. Suarez ban was based on Evra's testimony.  Are the FA doing that because of UEFA President since Evra hails from the same country with him. Then Evra said after the match that Suarez said the word more than 8 times, how come his team mates, referees etc arent party to hear such racist words during those 8 times period.?

slap1:

The evidence was not elaborate, so how on earth did the FA come to that decision? If it was a racist row, surely Evra must have said something, or did he keep mute while Suarez abused him? The English FA is becoming majorly irresponsible. An 8 match ban for some unclear accusation is just over the top! I hope John Terry and other English players get the same treatment for racial abuse.

English FA are not bunch of fools like Nigeria's FA. They don't convict players without evidence. There is always a chance for appeal and the 8 match ban can not take effect until the appeal is completed. I am a die hard Liverpool Fan but I do not tolerate racial comments in Sports. His Ban will Hurt Liverpool but it is good for football and sport in General. He simply called  the guy "N.I.g.g.a" and he admitted it .what other evidence do you want?

@ twinsT,
Suarez called Evra Negrito -Nigga- over 8 times,a charge Suarez didnt deny.
Saying it once is a slip of tongue,repeating it 8 times is malicious intent.
Look at the match' visuals again&see them clashing repeatedly.
Also Rooney was docked for violent conduct,Suarez for racist speech,CONFUSE NOT THE TWO.

@ thread,JT knows his fate tonite.

If actually suarez will be banned for 8matches, then the FA should look into JT's case against ferdinard, Otherwise,there is not point fighting against racism

blank:

U can imagine Latino too dey yab black man. Na wa o. This Suarez no know say himself no better pass.

I tire oooo,

Just imagine Suarez. Is he white? Why on earth should he be involved in this kind of mess.
Anyway, John Terry's case will be decided today.
You can read more Terry's case on www.footballfile.com

Liverpool's done!

If Suarez is indeed guilty, the ban is commendable. Soccer should foster tolerance among diverse races. The ban should be seen as a deterrent to others who refuse to rise above race and hate in sports.

I will never support racism or any other -ism that puts people down on account of their unique features, but since this ban/fine is the first of its kind in EPL if upheld, LFC needs to be convinced beyond doubts that it is thoroughly deserved and every EPL player who has fallen foul of the rule before Suarez is similarly punished since the rule has been in force all these while! Lets see how the appeal works out.

Evra as a person and his statements regarding this issue cannot be an enough basis for a punishment of this magnitude. In his statement to the FA, Evra said: 'I don't think Luiz Suarez is racist'. The FA's opening remarks admitted this. Besides, Evra has a history of accusing people of racially abusing him, one begins to wonder of he is the only black man in EPL. In 2006, he accused Steve Finnan (a Liverpool FC defender) of racial abuse and in 2008, he brought similar accusation against a member of Chelsea FC ground staff. On both occasions, his accusations were thrown out.
For God's sake If he has a complex, let him deal with it, instead of all these rubbish.

blank:

U can imagine Latino too dey yab black man. Na wa o. This Suarez no know say himself no better pass.

according to this logic some people better pass others. I guess we can infer that you imply latino and blacks are at the bottom and there are some others on top??

the fact that someone is not racist does not mean they cannot behave in a racist way occasionally or even once in their life. The question is should it be punished. We punish people for what they do NOT what they are.

Most people will at some point in their lives

lie,steal,cheat etc doe that make them liars,thieves or cheaters/cheats ??

Under different kinds of pressure people may go against their natures while others have these traits inherent in their nature. Whatever the case the behaviour should be dealt with when it occurs.
I understand Suarez was punished on the strength of[b] his own evidence[/b]. He admitted using a particular word(s) but relied on the defence that
1.The word is not racist in his Uruguayan culture [/b]and as such he was not being racist. Part of the defence was that the word may even be a term of endearment. It is difficult to imagine that in the context in which it happened that Suarez's feelings toward Evra were those of endearment.

2'That Evra's teammates call him that word


So [b]it was not just a case of Evra's word against his.
The FA rejected his defence.

he brought similar accusation against a member of Chelsea FC ground staff.

I dont know about the Steve Finnan issue but this is false. He did not accuse any Chelsea ground staff of racism. Get your facts right before posting falsehoods.

Im just waiting for the FA to release their full report which they have said they will release soon.

It is purely based on intent.why should he call him a nigga.we do say' hi nigga' in some occasions. but him Suarez calling  Evra that was  for provocation .you dont call someone you  dont have any personal relationship names that seems offensive.Evra is a model compared to Suarez with rabbit teeth.Mind u am a Chelsea fan.

Mr_TA:

I dont know about the Steve Finnan issue but this is false. He did not accuse any Chelsea ground staff of racism. Get your facts right before posting falsehoods.

Neither of d instances people sight as proof of Evra's "priors" are true. This is d first time he has accused anyone of racist abuse. The instance at Stamford bridge was an accusation made by United's coaches, which Evra claimed he didn't hear. The instance with Finnan were accusations brought forward by deaf fans who claimed to have lip-read abuse directed at him, he never accused anyone in that instance either. Careless journalism has led to d impression that he has made accusations like this in d past.

Quote

he brought similar accusation against a member of Chelsea FC ground staff.

I dont know about the Steve Finnan issue but this is false. He did not accuse any Chelsea ground staff of racism. Get your facts right before posting falsehoods. Evra accused a chelsea official after a game in stanford bridge trully,it is true and is a fact that am very sure of bro

circus:

Quote

he brought similar accusation against a member of Chelsea FC ground staff.

I dont know about the Steve Finnan issue but this is false. He did not accuse any Chelsea ground staff of racism. Get your facts right before posting falsehoods. Evra accused a chelsea official after a game in stanford bridge trully,it is true and is a fact that am very sure of bro

He accused a Chelsea official of what?

That Liverpool statement is also embarrassing. How could they have allowed that to be released?

Mr_TA:

He accused a Chelsea official of what?

yes, united did. . . . .but the offence couldn't be proven in court and the matter was dropped.
evra got banned for 5 games for his violent behaviour.

in the suarez case, he tied himself when he agreed he used the word "negrito" on evra - he claimed it's an endearment in south america. it does not matter what it means in nigeria - it's how it's perceived by the offended. so suarez was always going to go down.

liverpool and kenny dalglish are the biggest Joysticks in this issue with the way they have blindly supported suarez. it means they support racism and i hope the f-a throw a book at the lots. they put the most spastic statement on their website barking and biting when the accused already admitted he used the n word.

this d damage d media can cos. evra never ever accused d chelsea groundmans of racist abuse. d claim was made by mike phelan, united's assistant and corrobarated by another one of d united staff. evra never made d accusation and said he never heard any such thing. pple should read d f.a's report and not rely on misinformation.

I dont know about the Steve Finnan issue but this is false. He did not accuse any Chelsea ground staff of racism. Get your facts right before posting falsehoods.

Seems you don't know about so many things! Why not strive to know better before accusing someone of posting falsehoods simply because you do not know.

newdeal:

Seems you don't know about so many things! Why not strive to know better before accusing someone of posting falsehoods simply because you do not know.

I didnt post anything about Steve Finnan's case as I dont know about it. But Evra did NOT accuse any Chelsea staff of racism.

Where is your proof that Evra accused Chelsea staff of Racism?