Liverpool FC have accused the Football Association of engineering a witch-hunt against striker Luis Suárez after the striker was suspended for eight games.
Suárez was also hit with a hefty £40,000 fine for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in the Premier League fixture between the clubs on October 15.
The Independent Regulatory Commission acting on behalf of the FA ruled Suárez was guilty of misconduct and issued the severe penalties, pending an appeal.
However, there was an instant and enraged response from Anfield to the commission’s announcement, The Telegraph reports.
A Liverpool club statement deemed the findings of the panel “extraordinary” and alleged “the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suarez, even before interviewing him at the beginning of November”.
The severity of the punishment has effectively led to open warfare between Liverpool, the FA and Manchester United, with the Merseyside club also suggesting Evra should be charged with racially abusing Suarez during their incendiary confrontation.
