Suárez handed eight-match ban for racial abuse

Liverpool striker Luis Suárez has been banned for eight matches and fined 40,000 pounds ($62,800) for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League match at Anfield in October, the FA said on Tuesday.

Uruguay international Suárez was found guilty of misconduct after using "insulting words" towards Evra during the game on Oct. 15, including a reference to the France defender's colour.

The ban is suspended pending the outcome of any appeal lodged by Suarez after an FA Independent Regulatory Commission "found a charge of misconduct against Luis Suárez proven".

The FA announced the decision against Suárez, who has repetaedly denied the allegations, on its website after a hearing that began on Dec. 14 at an undisclosed location in north-west England.

The commission said: "Mr Suárez used insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3(1). The insulting words used by Mr Suárez included a reference to Mr Evra's colour within the meaning of Rule E3(2).

"Mr Suárez shall be warned as to his future conduct, be suspended for eight matches covering all first team competitive matches and fined the sum of 40,000 pounds."

The three-man commission, which comprised Paul Goulding QC, Brian Jones, the chairman of the Sheffield & Hallam FA, and the former Stoke City player and Sunderland manager Denis Smith, said it will provide written reasons for its decision in due course following which Suárez will have 14 days to appeal.