Luis Suarez's eight-game ban 'not even close to fair' & he has been crucified, says Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Spaniard says the squad is "all right behind" the Uruguayan, who has also been hit with a £40,000 ban for abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and do not believe he is racist

22 Dec 2011 11:56:00

By Oliver Platt

More On :  Liverpool, José Reina Paez, Luis Suárez
EPL,Pepe Reina,Manchester United vs Liverpool(Getty Images)
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has insisted that Luis Suarez has the full support of his Reds team-mates and claims that the striker's eight-game suspension is "not even close to fair".
Don't Miss

Suarez was also fined £40,000 after this week being found guilty by an FA panel of racially insulting Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Liverpool players wore Suarez t-shirts as they warmed up prior to their game at Wigan on Wednesday evening after the squad released a statement backing the Uruguayan.

"We are all right behind him," Reina told reporters after the goalless draw. "He has our full support.

"We made a statement earlier and we said what we thought was the truth.

"We were together from the very first minute [of the allegations] and it is the minimum we can do for him.

"Eight games is not even close to fair."

Reina also claimed the striker has been "crucified" over the allegations.

"He is not racist," he maintained. "I am 100 per cent he is not racist and he has been accused of racism.

"We showed our support to Luis. We want him and everyone to know we are right behind our team-mate because he is a lovely guy and he has been crucified by some people and it is not fair."

Suarez's ban will not kick in until his right of appeal window closes in under two weeks' time and Reina hoped the 24-year-old would be able to focus on his football until that point.

"The most important thing is he is doing his job for the team," he said.

"He played well for the team [against Wigan] and he has to keep playing and help the team as much as he can.

"Obviously we are going to enjoy him as long as we can and then we will see what happens."

How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory

    Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused

  3. In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012 In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012

    The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament

  4. The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution

    The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market

  5. Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday