By Andrew Warshaw
December 22 – The Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, as expected, has decided to appeal against his eight-game ban for allegedly racially abusing the Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, according to the his lawyer.
Alejandro Balbi, who is also Suarez’s agent, said the Uruguay World Cup star was “convinced” the punishment meted out by the Football Association would be reversed.
Suarez was also fined £40,000 ($63,000/€48,000) after he used “insulting words in reference to Evra’s colour”.
But his club have rigidly stuck by him and Balbi said: “It seems to us absolutely out of proportion.”
“It’s one of the hardest sanctions handed down in English football and he is firmly convinced this hard sanction can be reversed,” he told a news conference in Montevideo.
The incident is alleged to have taken place during the 1-1 draw at Anfield on October 15 but the suspension will not start until the outcome of an appeal.
The matter came to light after Evra told French TV he was racially abused by Suarez on 10 occasions.
“There are cameras,” Evra was reported as saying.
“You can see him [Suarez] say a certain word to me at least 10 times.”
He reported his complaint to the match referee, Andre Marriner, who included it in his report.
Suarez has 14 days to launch his appeal even though there is a possibility the length of the ban could be increased.
The Uruguayan Football Association has also offered Suarez, a hero in his homeland, and Liverpool whatever backing they need to clear his name.
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