FA to investigate Patrice Evra racism claims

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor | 15 October 2011

The FA says that they will investigate claims by Manchester United's Patrice Evra that he was racially abused by Liverpool's Luis Suarez.

The Football Association have confirmed that they are to investigate claims from Manchester United's Patrice Evra that he was racially abused by Liverpool's Luis Suarez during the two sides' clash at Anfield on Saturday.

Evra claimed in an interview with French television channel Canal+ that the Uruguayan repeatedly used racist language towards him on the pitch.

"The FA have been made aware of an incident that is alleged to have occurred during the Liverpool versus Manchester United fixture at Anfield," read a statement.

"Referee Andre Marriner was made aware of an allegation at the end of the fixture and has subsequently reported this to the FA.

"The FA will now begin making enquiries into the matter."

Meanwhile, a Liverpool spokesman has said that Suarez "categorically denies" the allegations.

"The first anyone at Liverpool knew about these allegations was when Kenny Dalglish was called into the referees room about 20 minutes after the game," they said.

"We have since checked with Luis Suarez and he categorically denies using any language that could be interpreted in that way."

The match on Merseyside ended 1-1 after Javier Hernandez cancelled out Steven Gerrard's opener.