The FA have announced that Liverpool will not appeal the eight-match suspension handed down to Luis Suarez, as the governing body found The Reds' striker guilty of racial abuse.

The Uruguay international was deemed to have insulted Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in the 1-1 draw between the Premier League giants at Anfield back in October.

Suarez and Liverpool have maintained their innocence throughout the process, and were linked with appealing the FA's decision, amid criticism from many anti-racism bodies.

However, the Merseyside club will not challenge the ruling, with Suarez now set to be sidelined for some time.

"Liverpool FC have informed The FA that they will not be appealing the decision of an Independent Regulatory Commission in relation to the recently proven misconduct charge against Luis Suarez," read a statement released on the FA's official website.

"Suarez will be suspended with immediate effect for a period of eight matches; Suarez was also fined £40,000 and was warned as to his future conduct."

Liverpool have released a statement of their own, explaining the reasons behind dropping their appeal.

“Liverpool Football Club have supported Luis Suarez because we fundamentally do not believe that Luis on that day - or frankly any other - did or would engage in a racist act," a statement on the club’s website reads.

"Notably, his actions on and off the pitch with his team-mates and in the community have demonstrated his belief that all athletes can play together and that the colour of a person's skin is irrelevant.

"Continuing a fight for justice in this particular case beyond today would only obscure the fact that the Club wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Football Association, the Football League and the Premier League to put an end to any form of racism in English football.

"It is time to put the Luis Suarez matter to rest and for all of us, going forward, to work together to stamp out racism in every form both inside and outside the sport.

"It is for this reason that we will not appeal the eight-game suspension of Luis Suarez," it concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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