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Liverpool players in full support of Suarez

Liverpool's players are fully behind Luis Suarez © PA Photos

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Luis Suarez's Liverpool team-mates have issued a strongly-worded statement underlining their full support for the forward after he was banned for eight games by the FA.

On Tuesday, Suarez was handed the suspension and a £40,000 fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Liverpool reacted angrily to the news, stating they would take every step possible to fight the punishment, who has 14 days to respond from the day the club receives the full written judgement.

In a continuing show of the club's resolve, the Liverpool players issued a joint statement on Wednesday to stress their support for Suarez.

The statement read: "Luis Suarez is our team-mate and our friend and as a group of players we are shocked and angered that he has been found guilty by the FA.

"We totally support Luis and we want the world to know that. We know he is not racist.

"We are a squad of many different nationalities and backgrounds. All of us support the club's commitment to fighting racism. All of us accept there is no place in the game for any form of discrimination. As a group of players we totally support the Kick it Out Campaign.

"We have lived, trained and played with Luis for almost 12 months and we don't recognise the way he has been portrayed. We will continue to support Luis through this difficult period, and as a popular and respected friend of all his team-mates, he will not walk alone."

Meanwhile, the Football Association has confirmed that Suarez's eight-match ban could be extended if he appeals against the suspension.

The club are waiting for the full written judgement before deciding on their next course of action, aware that Suarez's ban can be increased, reduced or cancelled altogether by an appeal board.

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