Liverpool have hit back at the Football Association's decision to impose a lengthy ban on Luis Suarez after finding him guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra.
Suarez currently faces an eight-game suspension after he was charged with insulting the Manchester United defender during the game between the sides in addition to a £40,000 fine.
The Reds have a fortnight to appeal the ban, which will be suspended until the process is concluded, and have issued an initial hard-hitting response on their official website.
In the lengthy statement, the club questioned the Independent Regulatory Commission's ruling while also citing Evra's documented misgivings during the alleged incident in October.
"We look forward to the publication of the commission's judgment," read the statement.
"We will study the detailed reasons of the commission once they become available, but reserve our right to appeal or take any other course of action we feel appropriate with regards to this situation.
"We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play - including Evra's own Manchester United teammates and all the match officials - heard the alleged conversation between the two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth while a corner kick was about to be taken.
"The club takes extremely seriously the fight against all forms of discrimination and has a long and successful track record in work relating to anti-racist activity and social inclusion. We remain committed to this ideal and equality for all, irrespective of a person's background.
"LFC considers racism in any form to be unacceptable - without compromise. It is our strong held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suarez did not commit any racist act.
"It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible - certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations.
"It is key to note that Patrice Evra himself in his written statement in this case said 'I don't think that Luis Suarez is racist'. The FA in their opening remarks accepted that Luis Suarez was not racist.
"We would also like to know when the FA intend to charge Patrice Evra with making abusive remarks to an opponent after he admitted himself in his evidence to insulting Luis Suarez in Spanish in the most objectionable of terms.
"Luis, to his credit, actually told the FA he had not heard the insult."
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