As a devoted Liverpool supporter I feel strongly the FA are totally responsible for why the Luis Suarez issue is now totally out of hand. The FA’s independent panel wanted to make an example of Suarez to emphasize the need to get racism out of football but have gone totally overboard with the punishment to the point, as John’s Barnes said yesterday, they are crucifying him.
This has led to the understandable outrage by the club and supporters and why we are all behind Suarez in his appeal. The fact he admitted he used a term he thought was none offensive should have been taken into account.
The FA have shown absolutely no leadership in this matter. They have remained silent while the situation escalates. They should have held a press conference immediately after the decision and revealed the evidence the independent panel used to make their decision so there is complete transparency. They should have made it clear that they fully accept Suarez is not a racist, as does Evra, but by not doing so they have caused great harm to Suarez and the club who rightly are standing by him.
I totally support the campaign to remove racism from football but the FA have to do it in a fair, open and transparent way.
