LONDON: Liverpool will not appeal against striker Luis Suarez’s eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, the English FA said on Tuesday.
“Liverpool FC have this afternoon informed the FA that they will not be appealing the decision of an Independent Regulatory Commission in relation to the recently proven misconduct charge against Luis Suarez,” the governing body said in a statement on their website (www.thefa.com).
“Suarez will be suspended with immediate effect for a period of eight matches, starting with this evening’s fixture against Manchester City.”
The Uruguay international, who was also fined 40,000 pounds ($62,200), was accused of racially abusing the French fullback in Liverpool’s Premier League draw against Manchester United on October 15.
According to an FA report, Suarez, who has consistently denied the accusations, used the Spanish word “negro”, which means “black”, or its plural “negros” seven times during a confrontation between the pair. Liverpool released a statement in which they were highly critical of the FA’s disciplinary procedure but said it was time to put an end to the matter.
“Continuing a fight for justice in this particular case beyond today would only obscure the fact that the club wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Football Association, the Football League and the Premier League to put an end to any form of racism in English football,” the Premier League club said. (AFP)