Uruguayan team-mates backing Suarez as race row lingers on

LUIS SUAREZ’S Uruguayan team-mates have rushed to support the Liverpool forward following his eight-match ban and £40,000 (€48,000) fine for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

After the FA’s independent panel found Suarez guilty, there was outrage in his home country, where the 24-year-old is a national hero after scoring goals in the Copa America quarter-final, semi-final and final last summer.

Napoli midfielder Walter Gargano accused Patrice Evra of jealousy in pursuing the story: “For me this is a massive fiasco and now Luis needs to be supported more than ever.