Suarez racism case could lag

London - Any appeal by Liverpool against the eight-match ban imposed on Luis Suarez for racially abusing another player could drag on into February, reports said on Thursday.

The Uruguayan was banned and fined £40 000 for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra during their Premier League match on October 15.

Liverpool have 14 days to appeal from the time they receive the full written judgement by the Independent Commission, which issued the ban under the authority of the Football Association.

But The Telegraph newspaper said that judgement may not come until mid-January, meaning Liverpool's appeal may not even be lodged until February.

"It is inconceivable an appeal will not follow given the strength of feeling on Merseyside," The Telegraph said. "However, Liverpool will then run the risk of seeing the ban extended even longer.

"The FA reserves the right to increase the penalty on the Uruguay striker should he request a new panel to convene to reassess the evidence."

Liverpool have given Suarez their unequivocal backing in the case, wearing t-shirts of support before Wednesday's game at Wigan and issuing a joint statement on their official website.