Luis Suarez Suspended Eight Games for Racially Abusing Patrice Evra

The Football Association has suspended Liverpool striker Luis Suarez on Tuesday for eight matches and fined him £40,000 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in an Oct. 15 match at Anfield.

Following the game, Evra claimed that Suarez racially abused him at least 10 times. Manager Kenny Dalglish has backed Suarez throughout the complaint process, as the 24-year-old Uruguayan has denied the accusations.

There is no evidence I said anything racist to him, said Suarez to Uruguayan media, in November. I said nothing of the sort.

There were two parts of the discussion - one in Spanish, one in English, Suarez later added. I did not insult him. It was just a way of expressing myself. I called him something his teammates at Manchester call him, and even they were surprised by his reaction.

Suarez now has 14 days to appeal the FA decision, which it explained in a statement.

The reason for this is to ensure that the penalty does not take effect before any appeal so that Mr Suarez has an effective right of appeal, said the FA, in a statement.

While Liverpool have stood by their star forward, Evra has been adamant about the comments that were directed to him by Suarez.

There are cameras, Evra said. You can see [Suarez] say a certain word to me at least 10 times.

The French star reported the abuse to match referee Andre Marriner, who included the complaint in his report.

The FA's Independent Regulatory Commission noted that:

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

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

- Mr Suarez 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 Suarez against this decision.

The FA report also noted that Suarez said he wasn't aware that language that is acceptable in Uruguay is considered as racist in Europe.