The Liverpool striker was given a eight match ban and fined £40,000 after the F.A. claimed he racially abused Evra by calling him a "negro" during the 1-1 draw at Anfield on October 15th 2011.
The report states that, after being tackled by the Uruguayan, Evra asked Suarez why he had kicked him, to which the forward replied in Spanish: "Because you are black."
When Evra challenged him to repeat the answer and said he would "punch him", Suarez said: "I don't speak to blacks."
Suarez is said to have used the term "negro" seven times in around two minutes.
In giving the reasons for the length of the ban, the report said: "Given the number of times that Mr Suarez used the word 'negro', his conduct is significantly more serious than a one-off use of a racially offensive term and amounts to an aggravating factor."
When Evra challenged him to repeat the answer and said he would "punch him", Suarez said: "I don't speak to blacks."
Suarez is said to have used the term "negro" seven times in around two minutes.
In giving the reasons for the length of the ban, the report said: "Given the number of times that Mr Suarez used the word 'negro', his conduct is significantly more serious than a one-off use of a racially offensive term and amounts to an aggravating factor."
The report states in its summary: "Mr Evra was a credible witness. He gave his evidence in a calm, composed and clear way. It was, for the most part, consistent, although both he and Mr Suarez were understandably unable to remember every detail of the exchanges between them.
"Mr Suarez's evidence was unreliable in relation to matters of critical importance. It was, in part, inconsistent with the contemporaneous evidence, especially the video footage.
"For example, Mr Suarez said that he pinched Mr Evra's skin in an attempt to defuse the situation. He also said that his use of the word 'negro' to address Mr Evra was conciliatory and friendly. We rejected that evidence.
"To describe his own behaviour in that way was unsustainable and simply incredible given that the players were engaged in an acrimonious argument. That this was put forward by Mr Suarez was surprising and seriously undermined the reliability of his evidence on other matters.
"There were also inconsistencies between his accounts given at different times as to what happened."
"For example, Mr Suarez said that he pinched Mr Evra's skin in an attempt to defuse the situation. He also said that his use of the word 'negro' to address Mr Evra was conciliatory and friendly. We rejected that evidence.
"To describe his own behaviour in that way was unsustainable and simply incredible given that the players were engaged in an acrimonious argument. That this was put forward by Mr Suarez was surprising and seriously undermined the reliability of his evidence on other matters.
"There were also inconsistencies between his accounts given at different times as to what happened."
Liverpool have been strong in their support of Suarez criticising the F.A. and claiming Evra should also face charges after he admitted insulting Suarez during the altercation.
The club's players and Reds boss Kenny Dalglish also wore T-shirts in support of the Uruguayan before their draw with Wigan on 21st December.
The F.A. and Liverpool were given the findings on Friday by the Independent Regulatory Commission. Both parties have the right to an appeal and must reply by 13 January.
No comments:
Post a Comment