LIVERPOOL, England – Liverpool's manager believes Luis Suarez is being victimized by English soccer authorities. Brendan Rodgers says the striker's 10-match ban for biting an opponent was given "against the man rather than the incident."
In his two years at Anfield, Suarez has also served an eight-match ban from the English Football Association for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
Suarez bit Branislav Ivanovic during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Chelsea. Rodgers says his player received "a sanction that doesn't really fit what he did."
Rodgers was also disappointed that the punishment has "absolutely no intention towards helping a rehabilitation of the player. ... Maybe he needs a bit of help."
Liverpool has until Friday to appeal the suspension.
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