Luis Suarez charged with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra

Luis Suarez has been charged by the Football Association with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

The FA announced the charge today following a month-long investigation into the claims against Liverpool's Uruguayan striker.

An FA statement said: "The FA has today charged Liverpool's Luis Suarez following an incident that occurred during the Liverpool versus Manchester United fixture at Anfield on 15 October 2011.

"It is alleged that Suarez used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules.

"It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra."

The FA is also dealing with another similar investigationafter Chelsea's John Terry was accused of racially abusing an opponent.

But FIFA president Sepp Blatter today controversially claimed any racist abuse between players on the pitch should be settled by a handshake.

Asked if he thought there was racism on the pitch, the FIFA president told CNN World Sport: "I would deny it. There is no racism, there is maybe one of the players towards another, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one, but also the one who is affected by that.

"He should say that this is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination.

"I think the whole world is aware of the efforts we are making against racism and discrimination. And on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better."

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The interview provoked an immediate backlash in England with Rio Ferdinand tweeting: "Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter's comments on racism in football wrong....if not then I am astonished."

Former player Stan Collymore also tweeted: "Sepp Blatter,please resign from FIFA with immediate effect."

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