Liverpool's Luis Suarez, right, celebrates with teammate Stewart Downing after scoring a goal against Queens Park Rangers during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield, Liverpool, England, Saturday Dec. 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Tim Hales) (AP2011)
Liverpool and Uruguayan national side's star Luis Suárez was handed an eight-match ban and a 40,000 euro fine after being found guilty of "using insulting words towards" Patrice Evra of Manchester United by a three man panel on Tuesday.
It incidents in question took place over the course of a hard-fought Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United on October 15. After the match, the ManU defender claimed Suárez racially abused him "at least 10 times".
Both players gave evidence to a three-man panel formed by the English football association, as did Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager. Liverpool's defense involved arguing that the word "negro" does not necessarily have racist connotations in Uruguay.
Suárez has consistently denied that he made racial comments.
But the regulatory commission ruled that Evra's charges were proved. Suárez has the right to appeal the decision. The penalty would be suspended till the outcome of the appeal.
Suárez is considered one of the world's best strikers. His in-form performances have been key to both Liverpool's push to the top of the English Premiership table as well a Uruguay's World Cup Qualifying campaign.
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