Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez has been banned by the Football Association (FA) and fined £20 000 for a gesture he made during a match against Fulham, directed at the opposition’s fans at Craven Cottage earlier this month.

This ruling, announced on Wednesday, comes just over a week after the Uruguayan was handed an eight-game suspension, that is currently on hold,  for racially abusing Manchester United player Patrice Evra in October. Suarez denied the racism rant and was supported by Liverpool who were angered by the suspension and made an official statement.

Suarez has already admitted to the latest charge of improper conduct during the match and Liverpool FC have also been fined £20 000 for failing to control their players in the same match with a charge related to the dismissal of midfielder Jay Spearing. The latest ban means that Suarez will be missing the upcoming Premier League match against Newcastle United on Friday. Liverpool made no comment on either Suarez’s punishment or the fine imposed on the club.

With regard to Spearing’s dismissal, while the club admitted to the improper conduct charge, they did not accept the financial penalty imposed.

A statement from the FA read: “Liverpool Football Club have been fined £20 000 by the FA and warned as to their future conduct for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the league fixture at Fulham. ”The club admitted the charge, which was in relation to the dismissal of Jay Spearing, but did not accept the standard £20 000 penalty for the offence.”

Chelsea’s John Terry, who was accused of alleged racism comments, will appear at the Magistrates Court in London on 1st February

source: Sport24