The Football Association has now released full written reasons for Liverpool star Luis Suarez's ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.
Striker's evidence deemed "unreliable" and "inconsistent"
The Football Association has now released full written reasons for Liverpool star Luis Suarez's ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
In the reasons for the sanctions the independent regulatory commission claim Suarez gave "unreliable" and "inconsistent" evidence to the commission.
The 115-page document goes into detail of the case and the conversation the two players had during the match at Anfield on 15th October.
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.
Unreliable
"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."
Liverpool have confirmed they will study the findings before deciding whether or not to lodge an appeal.
"The club can confirm that they received the written reasons from the Regulatory Commission at short notice last night on the evening of the game against Newcastle United," read the Liverpool statement.
"The player, the club and our legal advisors will now take the necessary amount of time to read, digest and properly consider the contents of the 115 page judgment and will make no further comment at present."
Support
Suarez was hit with an eight-match suspension and fined £40,000 by the Football Association on December 20th after the commission found the Uruguayan guilty of using a racist slur towards Evra.
The ban was suspended pending an appeal by the Merseyside club.
Liverpool have been steadfast in their support of Suarez criticising the FA 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.
With the FA revealing Liverpool were served the reasons on December 30th, the Merseyside club must lodge an appeal before 13th January 2012, with the ban not beginning until this date has passed.
