Suarez ban gives Dalglish headache

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will have to do without Luis Suarez for the first time since returning to the club against Newcastle tomorrow, after the striker accepted a Football Association improper conduct charge.

The Uruguay international admitted making an offensive gesture to home supporters during Liverpool‘s 1-0 loss at Fulham earlier this month, and was served with a one-game ban and a £20,000 (€24,000) fine yesterday.

The former Ajax man already has the prospect of an eight-match ban hanging over him after being found guilty of misconduct for using insulting words to Manchester United’s Patrice Evra which contained reference to the defender’s colour.

That suspension is currently on hold as Liverpool have 14 days to appeal once they have received the written judgement from the independent commission which heard the case.

His latest ban comes as a result of an incident that capped a bad night for the Reds in west London.

Jay Spearing‘s sending off prompted an angry reaction from some of their players, and the club have also been fined £20,000 for failing to control them.

A statement from the Football Association 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.

“However, at an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today the fine was imposed.

“Meanwhile, Liverpool player Luis Suarez will begin a one-match suspension with immediate effect after he admitted an FA charge of improper conduct in relation to the same game.

“Suarez was also fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct following a gesture he made towards the Fulham fans at the end of the fixture.”