Suarez was kicked out of tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle at Anfield when he was given a one-match suspension and £20,000 fine yesterday for his one-fingered gesture to Fulham fans earlier this month
Now the FA – already livid over Liverpool’s stinging criticism when they handed the Uruguayan striker an eight-match punishment for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra – are ready to increase that to nine games if Liverpool appeal.
The written findings into Suarez’s racial abuse case are due to be published imminently, giving Liverpool two weeks to appeal.
But the FA are understood to be smarting over the club’s attack on them last week – Liverpool accused them, in a tersely-worded statement, of victimising Suarez – and are in no mood to entertain what they are likely to see as a frivolous appeal.
Liverpool refused to make any comment when FA chiefs showed their striker no leniency yesterday for his gesture to Fulham supporters.
Suarez and Liverpool might have expected to escape with just a fine after the striker accepted the charge. But FA sources cited Birmingham skipper Stephen Carr’s one-match suspension and £10,000 fine for gesticulating to Aston Villa fans in 2010 as a precedent.
FA sources also pointed out that Suarez would have been sent off and hit with a two- game ban if his gesture had been seen by referee Kevin Friend.
Liverpool were also fined £20,000 for failing to control their players who surrounded Friend after he sent off Jay Spearing.