Suárez's disciplinary hearing for allegedly abusing Patrice Evra during Manchester Uniteds 1-1 draw at Liverpool on 15 October began on Wednesday. Liverpool have been informed the Football Association will announce the result on Friday, with Suárez and Evra both giving evidence to determine the chain of events that has led to the striker facing a long ban if he is found guilty.
His fate will be decided by a three-man panel chaired by Paul Goulding QC, a specialist member of the FA's judicial panel since 2008. The other two officials are Brian Jones, the chairman of the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA, and Dennis Smith, the vice-chairman of the Devon FA. A former footballer or manager is usually involved in FA disciplinary hearings but in this case the organisation decided to go against its usual policy.
Goulding specialises in sports cases, representing Jean Tigana in his high court hearing with Fulham, and advising West Ham in their dispute with Reading about Alan Pardew's appointment.
Evra claims that Suárez used a racist word "at least 10 times", the United defender making his complaint to the referee directly after the match. Suárez denies the allegations and has been given Liverpool's full backing as he tries to overturn a case that threatens to have huge ramifications for the club's season. The hearing focuses on a disputed version of what was said between the two players, both of whom have offered very differing statements to the FA. If it is a case of one man's word against another it may count against Evra if he is unable to provide witnesses to back up the charge that Suárez used "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour contrary to FA rules", including "a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra".
Suárez has admitted words were exchanged with Evra, a Senegal-born Frenchman, but the Uruguayan's defence is understood to point to the nuances of the Spanish language, as well as cultural differences, arguing that what he said would not be considered offensive for someone of his background in South America.
In Uruguay, for example, words such as "negrito" and "negro" are commonly used, with no racist connotation. As yet, however, it is not known what word was used. Evra's only comments were made in an interview on French television directly after the match when he said that "in 2011 you can't say things like this … it's very upsetting and disappointing".
Liverpool made it clear when Suárez was charged that they "remain fully supportive of Luis" but the FA would be under pressure to impose a considerable ban should the case be
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