Dalglish to defend Suarez at racism hearing

Kenny Dalglish will lead Liverpool’s defence of Luis Suarez on Thursday as the striker faces an FA racism charge.

King Kenny will give the Uruguayan a character reference – and also call on a language expert to show that the player’s comments towards Patrice Evra during the Premier League clash with Manchester United in October were not racially motivated and also to translate what the scousers say to a jury comprised of normal English speakers.

The first legal arguments were heard on Wednesday and are being translated as I write, but the main body of evidence will be aired when Evra attends on Thursday morning.

THIS LOT WILL KEEP THE LANGUAGE EXPERT ON HIS TOES 

Evra complained to referee Andre Marriner – and a French TV station – that he had been subjected to the racial insult “more than 10 times” during the second half of the 1-1 draw, and the FA initiated a probe.

Suarez - who is also facing punishment after being accused of making a one-finger gesture at Fulham fans last week - insists that the phrase, commonly used throughout Spanish-speaking Latin America, is not racist in his understanding.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish added 'we have a player at the club who is of the darker persuasion, a Mr Glen Johnson ... and he and Luis have hardly ever fallen out. Luis has even called Glen on the phone many times and asked if he would drive him around Liverpool while Luis does some shopping, I hardly think that this is the action of someone who is racist !'.

Both players are due to travel to the disciplinary hearing at a hotel midway between Manchester and Liverpool, to give evidence to the inquiry arising from their Anfield clash on October 15.