Suarez Ban Justified

The Football Association last night dished out an 8 match ban and a £40,000 fine to Liverpool's Luis Suarez for racially abusing Patrice Evra of Manchester United.

There has been mixed reaction to the news.  Liverpool issued a formal statement aying it was "very surprised and disappointed" by the FA verdict and punishment, going on to say "We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play - including Evra's own Manchester United team-mates and all the match officials - heard the alleged conversation between the two players".

Luis Suarez has 14 days to appeal the FA decision

Regardless of the decision, it was always going to be important what punishment the FA would issue.  The £40,000 is peanuts really, but the 8 match ban is unprecedented, and a lot more severe than most were expecting.  But I feel it is wholly right.

There has been so much talk on this subject throughout this season, with alleged racial abuse taking place on the pitch in at least two games that we know about.  The FA are completely right to take a hard stand on the issue.  Many may argue that they are using Luis Suarez as an example, and that John Terry would never receive such a harsh punishment as he's the national captain.

But we have to believe that the FA would be consistent with any punishment they issue for racially incited abuse on the football pitch and hope that they are in any future cases.

Racial abuse has to be stamped out, and the message needs to be sent to the players that it's completely unacceptable.