Liverpool FC respond to the FA’s Suarez announcement

The reaction from Liverpool FC to the announcement that charges against Luis Suarez had been proven has come in the form of a lengthy statement and a question to The FA.

Read it yourself:

Liverpool Football Club is very surprised and disappointed with the decision of the Football Association Commission to find Luis Suarez guilty of the charges against him.

We look forward to the publication of the Commission’s Judgment. We will study the detailed reasons of the Commission once they become available, but reserve our right to appeal or take any other course of action we feel appropriate with regards to this situation.

We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play – including Evra’s own Manchester United teammates and all the match officials – heard the alleged conversation between the two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth while a corner kick was about to be taken.

The Club takes extremely seriously the fight against all forms of discrimination and has a long and successful track record in work relating to anti-racist activity and social inclusion. We remain committed to this ideal and equality for all, irrespective of a person’s background.

LFC considers racism in any form to be unacceptable – without compromise. It is our strong held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suarez did not commit any racist act. It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible – certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations.

It is key to note that Patrice Evra himself in his written statement in this case said ‘I don’t think that Luis Suarez is racist’. The FA in their opening remarks accepted that Luis Suarez was not racist.

Luis himself is of a mixed race family background as his grandfather was black. He has been personally involved since the 2010 World Cup in a charitable project which uses sport to encourage solidarity amongst people of different backgrounds with the central theme that the colour of a person’s skin does not matter; they can all play together as a team.

He has played with black players and mixed with their families whilst with the Uruguay national side and was Captain at Ajax Amsterdam of a team with a proud multi-cultural profile, many of whom became good friends.

It seems incredible to us that a player of mixed heritage should be accused and found guilty in the way he has based on the evidence presented. We do not recognise the way in which Luis Suarez has been characterised.

It appears to us that the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suarez, even before interviewing him at the beginning of November. Nothing we have heard in the course of the hearing has changed our view that Luis Suarez is innocent of the charges brought against him and we will provide Luis with whatever support he now needs to clear his name.

We would also like to know when the FA intend to charge Patrice Evra with making abusive remarks to an opponent after he admitted himself in his evidence to insulting Luis Suarez in Spanish in the most objectionable of terms. Luis, to his credit, actually told the FA he had not heard the insult.

After years of allowing the FA and other authorities to walk all over the club it is extremely refreshing to see such a gutsy statement from the club.

Over to you, The FA.

6 comments

  • james leon

    funny that the JT affair is with the police and they can’t rule on that incident. This is like ancient Rome – infact it is worse still! Because we are now a threat, and he is a foreigner, they will hound him out of the club and the league. Shame on you FA – sons of Ferguson.

  • Sean

    I have been following the club for many years since 1979. And it is obvious to me that Man United are the FA’s lovechild. Their players have hounded referees for years without ever being charged. Their players swear at referees all the time without ever being charged. Ferguson abuses referees and will get charged once in a hundred matches. Yet when other teams do the same they have the book thrown at them. Man United’s treatment by referees is known all over the world. Whenever they are in trouble the referees always get them out of jail.
    The moment Ferguson got involved in this race affair, I knew this would happen. I knew this would occur. It is beginning to turn me off the premier league. Ferguson finally saw a player in Liverpool who is great and who he can see can Liverpool to the top and he will do anything he can, foul or legal to stop him. And the FA are and always will be his backers to do his dirty work.

  • david h herbert

    Unbelievable! The f.a have really done it this time! Justice what justice! The f.a need to get ready for the fight of their lifes! We r LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB! And we won’t be made scapegoats! Suarez is innocent! Evra- I don’t believe suarez is racist! The f.a-we don’t think suarez is racist! So why find him guilty of being racist! 8 game ban- what guides them to that amount! The panel- one whom has close links to sir alex! Let’s see what happens to john terry! Oh yeah! Actyally evidence of terry shouting racist remarks! No evidence of suarez saying anything, but the word of evra- a past of previous allegations which we’re found untrue! It wouldn’t happen in a court of law! Which I hope this goes to! Luis- you have my believe! Stay strong! Y..N..W..A!

    • Jim

      Definitely agree, but why bother calling him ‘Sir’? Seems that no behaviour can strip one of such an honour

  • Budgie69

    That’s a surprisingly detailed and strong statement in immediate response to the disciplinary panels ruling from Liverpool.

    I fully expected to read something along the lines of ‘Liverpool FC are disappointed by the ruling and will consider the details in full before making any further comment’. The usual cautious approach favoured by clubs in such circumstances.

    The fact they have come out immediately in staunch support of Suarez may be seen by some (notably non-Liverpool fc supporters) as cynical or even shameless. However, the club will have undoubtedly had their lawyers review the statement before publishing it and in a media-savvy sporting world will have carefully considered the possible detrimental effect such a supportive statement could have on the clubs public perception in what is such a delicate area.

    The fact that after this careful consideration, they have pressed ahead, suggests they are outraged by the decision and fully believe that Suarez did nothing wrong.

  • Gid

    I’m sure Luis Suarez is a member of the PFA. Surely Gordon Taylor’s statement that he welcoming the punishment is a breach of the duty of care owed to Luis?