English Premiership
Union backs Suarez's race ban
2011-12-21 17:56
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London - Luis Suarez's eight-game ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra has "sent out a strong message" according to the chief executive of England's Professional Footballers' Association.
Gordon Taylor said the punishment was timely given the outcry in England after FIFA president Sepp Blatter suggested racist incidents on the field could be settled by a handshake between the players involved - comments the head of world football's governing body later retracted.
Liverpool striker Suarez is set to appeal the ban, imposed after a confrontation with Manchester United's Evra during a 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield in October.
The Uruguay international's defence appeared to rest on the view that language which was viewed as offensive in England was acceptable in his homeland.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have reacted furiously to the punishment imposed upon Suarez, also fined £40 000 on Tuesday, accusing the Football Association of being "determined" to find the 24-year-old guilty.
But Taylor said on Wednesday: "This was an independent commission experienced in law and football and they must have had compelling evidence, and it sends out a very strong message to the rest of the world.
"I understand the point about cultural differences but if you come to this country all players have to abide by not just the laws of the game but the laws of the land as well.
"Referring to someone's skin colour has got to be offensive - it's self-evident."
Taylor added: "You can understand Liverpool being upset as they are a top quality club with a top quality manager (Kenny Dalglish) but perhaps it is a timely reminder that players new to this country need to be advised about what is unacceptable."
As well as the punishment imposed upon Suarez, Liverpool are also angry with the FA for failing to take any action against France defender Evra for insulting their player.
"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," a Liverpool statement issued on Tuesday said.
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