Liverpool’s Suarez charged with racial abuse

Liverpool have said their Uruguayan striker will deny the charge at a personal hearing and that they remain “fully supportive” of him.

Evra made the claims immediately after the match at Anfield on October 15 telling French TV station Canal Plus that Suarez had used a racist insult to him “at least 10 times”.

The FA would not confirm the range of sanctions that Suarez could face if he is found guilty but it is believed they could include a ban or fine, or both.

An FA statement said: “The FA has today charged Liverpool’s Luis Suarez following an incident that occurred during the Liverpool versus Manchester United fixture at Anfield on 15 October 2011.

“It is alleged that Suarez used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules.

“It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter last night provoked a furious backlash after claiming racist abuse between players on the pitch should be settled by a handshake.

In two television interviews Blatter said racism on the field of play is not a problem.

His suggested solution was for a handshake to settle any issue – provoking Rio Ferdinand to express his “astonishment”.

Asked if he thought there was racism on the pitch, the FIFA president toldCNN World Sport: “I would deny it. There is no racism, there is maybe one of the players towards another, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one, but also the one who is affected by that.

“He should say that this is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination.

“On the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better.”

He also said on Al Jazeera: “During a match you may say something to someone who’s not looking exactly like you, but at end of match it’s forgotten.”

Former England captain Ferdinand write on Twitter: “@SeppBlatter your comments on racism are so condescending it’s almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that okay?”

Blatter later released a statement claiming his comments had been misunderstood.