Liverpool have announced in the last few minutes that they will not be appealing the eight-match ban handed down to Luis Suarez for his part in the Patrice Evra racism case.
Although the club have continued to support the Uruguayan, their official statement concludes:
Continuing a fight for justice in this particular case beyond today would only obscure the fact that the Club wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Football Association, the Football League and the Premier League to put an end to any form of racism in English football. It is time to put the Luis Suarez matter to rest and for all of us, going forward, to work together to stamp out racism in every form both inside and outside the sport.
Suarez is therefore suspended with immediate effect and will play no part in tonight’s match against Manchester City.
As for when he returns, Liverpool’s FA Cup duties may complicate matters. If they beat Oldham at the first time of asking, then win their Fourth Round game without any need for a replay, he would miss Man City, Stoke, Bolton and Wolves in the league. Factor in the two-legged Carling Cup Semi Final and those are his eight games, meaning he will be available for the Anfield showdown with Harry Redknapp’s side in gameweek 24. This could well be the likeliest scenario.
However… there are other possibilities. If, in the perhaps unlikely event of Liverpool being knocked out by Oldham, he would miss the Spurs game and be available for selection in gameweek 25– none other than a trip to Old Trafford.
On the other hand, there are also FA Cup replays to consider. A second tie against Oldham would mean the final game of the ban is the Fourth Round of the FA Cup- Suarez would then be available for the gameweek 23 trip to Wolves, three days later. This is the earliest he would be ready for league action.
