Luis Suarez reopens race row

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 17 July 2012

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez insists that it was Manchester United's "political power" that saw him banned for eight matches last season.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has reopened the row over his suspension for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra last season.

The Uruguayan was handed an eight-game ban by the Football Association, who rejected the 25-year-old's version of events.

Discussing the incident, which took place last October at Anfield, Suarez has blamed United's "political power" for the the FA's verdict.

"People at the club are sure that it was a way that Manchester United used to put me out of the team and stop Liverpool," he told a television station back in his homeland.

"But in England, Man United has this political power, and you have to respect that and shut your mouth."

In the return fixture at Old Trafford, Suarez was heavily criticised for appearing to refuse to shake Evra's hand during the pre-match procession.

However, Suarez has insisted that he was not the one to blame for the "misunderstanding".

"It was a misunderstanding, what happened between me and Evra at Old Trafford when we were to shake hands," he said. "In fact, I think it was all arranged against me again, as it had happened with the punishment.

"I promised my wife, the manager and the directors that I was going to shake my hand with Evra. Why not?, I thought, because I had no problems with him.

"I had been punished because of him, but I had no problems with shaking hands. But I was not forced to greet him. I had no problems with Evra. It was only a handshake and I was OK with that.

"The media in England showed the moment when I passed in front of him, but they didn't see that he had his hand low before.

"Only the media in Uruguay and Spain showed that I wanted to shake his hand."

Liverpool and United are due to meet each on Sunday, September 23.