Luis Suarez to be available over Christmas as racism row drags on

LUIS SUAREZ is set to be available for all of Liverpool’s matches over the next month with the bitter row over his eight-match ban expected to drag on well into the new year.
The Reds don’t expect to receive the written judgement explaining why the Football Association’s independent commission found the striker guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra for ‘weeks rather than days’.
Only when Liverpool are in possession of those details will the 14 days begin in which they have the opportunity to lodge an appeal.
Any punishment is suspended until the end of the appeal process so Suarez’s fate might not be known for months.

Given Liverpool’s fury at the verdict, an appeal is almost certain and that would lead to the FA forming another three-man panel. They are unlikely to meet until February at the earliest.

Suarez in a sweat

LUIS SUAREZ will today discover if he faces a second FA charge.

The Uruguayan was caught on camera flicking a finger towards Fulham fans who abused him in Monday's 1-0 defeat.
If the FA decide he has a case to answer, Suarez could land a two-game suspension or hefty fine.
Wayne Rooney got a similar ban for swearing down a TV camera.
Suarez is facing a racism charge, which he denies, following claims from United's Patrice Evra in an Anfield draw in October.
Suarez has also had to contend with claims from opponents he is a diver.
His gesture to Fulham fans came after they berated him with 'cheat' chants when he went down under a Brede Hangeland challenge, but referee Kevin Friend ignored his penalty claims.
Yet Fulham's ex-Kop star John Arne Riise said: "That's football. If he is diving or not, that's not up to us. If we feel it's not a free-kick we tell him. Suarez is a good player."
Liverpool are unlikely to appeal Jay Spearing's red card in the 1-0 defeat.

FA probe Suarez after race-row striker gives Fulham fans the finger

Following a month-long investigation, Suarez was charged with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. The Frenchman made the claims immediately after the match at Anfield, telling Canal Plus that Suarez had used a racist insult to him 'at least 10 times'. Another Premier League game, another round of controversy. Suarez was seen making a gesture at supporters following Liverpool's defeat to Fulham. The Uruguayan had been taunted by home fans after referee Kevin Friend did not award him a penalty when he went over after a challenge by Brede Hangeland in the second half. Wembley disciplinary chiefs are now debating whether to investigate the incident further. They are waiting to receive the match report from referee Kevin Friend before making any decision.

Flash back moment see video above
The Cannibal of Ajax (2010)
Castigated during the World Cup for the goal-line handball, Suarez increased his notoriety in November, earning an seven-game suspension for biting the shoulder of PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal during an Eredivisie clash with Ajax. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf called Suárez the "Cannibal of Ajax".