Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has today been formally charged by the FA for alleged racial abuse aimed towards Man Utd defender Patrice Evra.
A statement by the FA read:
”The FA has today charged Liverpool’s Luis Suarez following an incident that occurred during the Liverpool versus Manchester United fixture at Anfield on 15 October 2011. It is alleged that Suarez used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules.
”It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra. The FA will issue no further comment at this time.”
Suarez did appear to admit calling Evra a ‘negroid’ claiming that in South-America, this is not considered a racial slur. Liverpool have maintained their support of the player and issued a statement on their official website:
”The Club this afternoon received notification from the Football Association of their decision to charge Luis Suarez and will take time to properly review the documentation which has been sent to us.
”We will discuss the matter fully with him when he returns from international duty, but he will plead not guilty to the charge and we expect him to request a personal hearing. Luis remains determined to clear his name of the allegation made against him by Patrice Evra. The Club remain fully supportive of Luis in this matter.”
