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FA start digging deep into Suarez racist charge

Comment: 0 December 15th, 2011 by: admin

THE disciplinary hearing on the racial abuse levelled against Luis Suarez has begun.

At the centre of this controversy is Liverpool striker Suarez who has been charged by the Football Association of racially slurring Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a match last October.

The FA are basing their enquiry on charges that the Uruguayan player abused Evra, referring to his ‘ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.’

Verdict for the hearing is expected to be out by the end of the week.

Both Suarez and Evra are set to give their sides during the proceedings.

Defending himself earlier, Suarez has denied hurling such abuse as Liverpool said they are fully behind their player.

In a statement, Liverpool said that Suarez is determined to clear his name regarding the allegation made by Evra.

Only recently, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said the staff, players and supporters of Liverpool will stand by Suarez because ‘they know what the truth is.’

The hearing was sparked by the alleged racial rant Suarez gave Evra during the 1-1 Premier League draw between the Reds and the Red Devils last Oct. 15.

Evra had told French television station Canal Plus after the match that Suarez abused him more than 10 times during the match.

He said he was very upset by what happened. ‘In 2011 you can’t say things like that. He knows what he said, the ref knows it, it will come out.’

Evra added he won’t repeat what Suarez said but insisted it was a racist word. ‘He tried to wind me up. I won’t make a big deal out of it but it’s very upsetting and disappointing.’

Standing by his ground, Suarez said there is no evidence that he said something racist to the United player. ‘I said nothing of the sort.’

Evra lodged his complaint to referee Andre Mariner who included the incident in his match report to the FA.

Suarez joined Liverpool from Dutch side Ajax for 22 million pounds last January. Before that racial abuse charge, he also got mired in another controversy recently when he flashed the dirty finger to Fulham fans during a Liverpool loss at Craven Cottage. Last year, he gained notoriety when still as an Ajax player, he bit the shoulder of an opponent during a Dutch League match.

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