Evra accuses Suarez of racism

[Craig_H]

I think that's the only decision that was left open for the club. For whatever reason, we found ourselves in a position that meant no appeal would have been successful and that by making an appeal, the suspension (extended or not) would have taken place during some seriously critical periods of the season. By accepting it now, we've taken a measure, partly tactical, to ensure that Suarez is available for Man Utd away and, assuming we beat Oldham to ensure a 4th Round FA Cup tie, he will be available for Spurs at home the game before. Ultimately though, there was nothing to be gained for the club in appealing this and clearly things reached a stage where it's best for the club to put this whole ugly affair behind them. That's what they've done.

If we wanted to be cynical about things, we could seek to draw the cuptie at home and make sure that 2 of the 8 games are against Oldham when he wouldnt have probably played anyhow. Likewise, if we were to get a lower division side away from home in the 4th round, we could draw that and take it to a reply at Anfield - meaning half the ban will take place for 'easy' FA Cup ties.

The games Suarez will miss (as things stand):

Man City (a)
Oldham (h) FA CUP
Man City (a) CARLING CUP
Stoke (h)
Bolton (a)
Man City (h) CARLING CUP
Wolves (a)
Spurs (h)

As i said, if we progress in the Cup, he wont miss the Spurs game. Clearly the club have had a look at which games he will miss and decided that there are more important, harder games that we'll need him for.

I also wonder if this means we'll move for a striker fairly shortly.

[Chris]

We are pretty much saying the FA are correct

Utter ****.

[Mostar]

Thank God it is over.

Lock the thread.

[Daniel 7]

Great, we have just confirmed Suarez is a racist. Let the abuse begin

We've just done exactly the opposite and taken a higher moral stance. Did you read the statements?

Wonder if the Mancs will respond to that?

[Assassin]

We are pretty much saying the FA are correct. i understand why we have done it, but if you look at it from another view as another fan, it looks that way.

Can you not read???

It is our strongly held conviction that the Football Association and the panel it selected constructed a highly subjective case against Luis Suarez based on an accusation that was ultimately unsubstantiated.

The FA and the panel chose to consistently and methodically accept and embrace arguments leading to a set of conclusions that found Mr. Suarez to "probably" be guilty while in the same manner deciding to completely dismiss the testimony that countered their overall suppositions.

Mr. Evra was deemed to be credible in spite of admitting that he himself used insulting and threatening words towards Luis and that his initial charge as to the word used was somehow a mistake.

The facts in this case were that an accusation was made, a rebuttal was given and there was video of the match. The remaining facts came from testimony of people who did not corroborate any accusation made by Mr. Evra.

In its determination to prove its conclusions to the public through a clearly subjective 115-page document, the FA panel has damaged the reputation of one the Premier League's best players, deciding he should be punished and banned for perhaps a quarter of a season. This case has also provided a template in which a club's rival can bring about a significant ban for a top player without anything beyond an accusation.

[Havors]

Well sets the precedent for anyone to abuse the system in the future.

I would be surprised if he was out of tonights game. I would guess it will start after tonights game... unless LFC have already officially declined to appeal to the FA.

[fah-q]

I think that statement is probably for the best as it clearly indicates we aren't shaken in our belief that this has not been a fair process and that we firmly believe Luis.

I'm still gutted as I feel nothing but contempt for the way the FA has built it's case and has greatly damaged a mans reputation based on nothing more than 1 persons word.

[Daniel 7]

The transfer window is going to be hugely busy isn't it?

Striker, defensive midfielder and right sided midfielder?

[Havors]

I think that's the only decision that was left open for the club. For whatever reason, we found ourselves in a position that meant no appeal would have been successful and that by making an appeal, the suspension (extended or not) would have taken place during some seriously critical periods of the season. By accepting it now, we've taken a measure, partly tactical, to ensure that Suarez is available for Man Utd away and, assuming we beat Oldham to ensure a 4th Round FA Cup tie, he will be available for Spurs at home the game before. Ultimately though, there was nothing to be gained for the club in appealing this and clearly things reached a stage where it's best for the club to put this whole ugly affair behind them. That's what they've done.

If we wanted to be cynical about things, we could seek to draw the cuptie at home and make sure that 2 of the 8 games are against Oldham when he wouldnt have probably played anyhow. Likewise, if we were to get a lower division side away from home in the 4th round, we could draw that and take it to a reply at Anfield - meaning half the ban will take place for 'easy' FA Cup ties.

The games Suarez will miss (as things stand):

Man City (a)
Oldham (h) FA CUP
Man City (a) CARLING CUP
Stoke (h)
Bolton (a)
Man City (h) CARLING CUP
Wolves (a)
Spurs (h)

As i said, if we progress in the Cup, he wont miss the Spurs game. Clearly the club have had a look at which games he will miss and decided that there are more important, harder games that we'll need him for.

I also wonder if this means we'll move for a striker fairly shortly.

So if we beat Man city in the cup he will miss the final....? **** that!

[Craig_H]

Great, we have just confirmed Suarez is a racist. Let the abuse begin

You dont do yourself any favours mate. Clearly both statements say, in a diplomatic way, "We dont condone racism, Luis isnt a racist, but the FA cunts have ****ed us already here and we know they cant wait to **** us over again with an appeal which wouldnt be handled fairly and which we clearly wont be allowed to win - so we wont be giving them the satisfaction"

[Rabiosa]

So if we beat Man city in the cup he will miss the final....? **** that!

If we can beat City twice without him, we can beat Palace/Cardiff without him.

[Mostar]

The transfer window is going to be hugely busy isn't it?

Striker, defensive midfielder and right sided midfielder?

I hope so. I really do but I can see us picking up a right footed winger at the expense of AM.

[Roanmore]

I like this:

This case has also provided a template in which a club's rival can bring about a significant ban for a top player without anything beyond an accusation.

[doogle]

We are pretty much saying the FA are correct. i understand why we have done it, but if you look at it from another view as another fan, it looks that way.

Only complete morons maybe, who gives a **** what other fans think anyway?
We have said the F.A were idiots in believing Evra was a credible person to give evidence

[Craig_H]

So if we beat Man city in the cup he will miss the final....? **** that!

No he wouldnt miss the final. The final is scheduled for February 26th, by which stage the ban will have expired. We have 7 games in January and the FA Cup 4th round is scheduled for January 28th, which would be an 8th game.

I still maintain we should draw with Oldham