On Wednesday, Luis Suarez begins his formal defense against the FA charge that he racially abused Patrice Evra. The Guardian reports a secret hearing will take place over two days that will settle a case that has dragged on for two months.
Both players and their legal representatives are set to appear in front of a FA tribunal to give their sides of the story.
The allegations stem from the Oct. 15 meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool at Anfield. Evra reported that Suarez directed a racial slur toward him a number of times during the 1-1 draw.
Suarez was formally charged by the FA one month later, but maintains his innocence. He believes a misunderstanding of the meaning of a specific word he used is behind the Evra’s claims.
Liverpool has backed its star forward since the reports of the abuse first surfaced.
If the disciplinary panel finds him guilty of the charge, the 24-year-old Uruguayan could be slapped with a fine and lengthy suspension.
