Montevideo - Liverpool star Luis Suarez has admitted diving in an English Premier League match against Stoke in October in an attempt to win a penalty but also complained that foreign players were treated differently.

Suarez hit the headlines for a theatrical fall in the 0-0 draw at Anfield when he was challenged by Stoke defender Marc Wilson in an unsuccessful attempt to win a second-half penalty.

FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce was moved to describe Suarez's tumble as "cheating", adding that the tendency for players to easily fall to the ground was a "cancer" in the game.

Suarez has been accused several times of diving and the October incident left Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers scrambling to the Uruguay international's defence, blasting what he termed the "vilification" of one of his star players.

"I was criticised for trying to win a penalty by falling in a match against Stoke," Suarez told Fox Sports Argentina. "It's true I fell because we were drawing against Stoke at home and we needed to do something."

"But afterwards, the coaches of Stoke, Everton, all of them, came forward. I came to realise that the name of Suarez was a (newspaper) seller."

Suarez hit the headlines again earlier this month when he handled the ball prior to scoring Liverpool's winning goal in their 2-1 victory at non-league Mansfield Town in the FA Cup.

"The other day, a ball hit my hand without me meaning it to," he said. "I kissed my wrist and everyone started rounding on me."

Suarez maintained that foreign players were treated differently in the Premier League from locals.

"It's difficult," he said. "It's what Carlitos (Tevez) said, it's what Kun (Sergio Aguero) said: foreigners, and especially the South Americans, are treated differently than local players."

Suarez added that his run in with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, which saw the Uruguayan hit with a £48 000 fine and an eight-match ban, was long forgotten.

"When people come and insult me saying I'm South American, I don't start crying, it's something that stays on the pitch, part of football. My conscience is clear," he said, adding that United controlled the press.

"They've got a lot of power and they'll always help them."