Evra and Suarez to appear at FA hearing

THE Football Association last night began the disciplinary hearing into claims that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Suarez has been charged with abusing Evra, and referring to his “ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race” by the FA.

The hearing is expected to last for two days with the outcome expected by the end of the week. Both players are due to give evidence to the hearing.

The charge followed a month-long investigation and the Uruguay striker immediately denied the accusation. Liverpool say they remain “fully supportive’ of the 24-year-old.

Evra made the claims immediately after the match at Anfield on October 15, telling French TV station Canal Plus that Suarez had used a racist insult to him “at least 10 times”.

If Suarez is found guilty he could be banned or fined, or both.

Both players spoke to FA officials during the investigation and there have been suggestions that Suarez was unaware language that is acceptable in Uruguay is viewed as racist in Europe.

Suarez told Uruguayan media earlier this month: “There is no evidence I said anything racist to him. I said nothing of the sort.

“There were two parts of the discussion — one in Spanish, one in English.

“I did not insult him. It was just a way of expressing myself. I called him something his teammates at Manchester call him, and even they were surprised by his reaction.”

Evra reported his complaint to match referee Andre Marriner, who included it in his report.

The FA announced the charge last month, alleging Suarez used “abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” towards Evra.

“It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra,” said the FA.

Liverpool said after the charge was announced: “Luis remains determined to clear his name of the allegation made against him by Patrice Evra.

“The club remain fully supportive of Luis in this matter.”

Meanwhile, Tom Cleverley believes Manchester rivals City and United are both capable of bouncing back from recent disappointments.

United bowed out of the Champions League last week after a 2-1 defeat in Basel, while City also failed to qualify for the knockout stages and also lost their unbeaten Premier League record with a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Monday night.

However, United midfielder Cleverley thinks both teams can put the setbacks behind them on Sunday, with City at home to Arsenal and United travelling to QPR.

He told Sky: “[Monday] was their [City’s] first slip-up of the season...but we were always confident we could catch them. It’s going to be an interesting weekend.”

Cleverley, who is still facing more time on the sidelines with an ankle injury which has kept him out since October, has confidence in the United squad.

He added: “We’ve got a great team spirit so if anyone can bounce back from disappointment it would be our squad.

“We’ve had a lot of tough games in a short period of time and we’ve been knocked out of two tournaments — but we are still well placed in the league.”