Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has broken his silence over the Patrice Evra race row to deny allegations he verbally abused the Manchester United defender.
Evra alleged the Uruguay international repeatedly made racist comments about him during the 1-1 draw at Anfield last month. Liverpool immediately issued a statement on Suarez's behalf insisting the player vigorously denied such claims, and now the striker has spoken out.
"The FA will have to clear it up with him, because there is no proof at all that I have said anything racist," Suarez told Uruguayan newspaper El Pais. "I didn't say anything like that to him. There are things that happen in football, all in the moment, that leaves one feeling bad."
The Football Association have talked to both players and their investigation is ongoing.
Suarez added: "Now we have to wait to see this issue decided and then the Manchester player and I will have to clear things up. Depending on who ends up in the wrong, one of us will have to apologise.
"There were two sides of our discussion, one in Spanish and one in English. I didn't insult him, it was just my way of expressing myself.
"I called him something that his own Manchester United players call him.
"Furthermore, even they were surprised at his reaction on the pitch."
The Football Association have said they have nothing further to add at this stage and will not comment on Suarez's remarks.
FIFA reject FA's poppy plea
Click To Enlarge
FIFA have rejected the Football Association's renewed plea for England players to be allowed to have embroidered poppies on their shirts when they face Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
The FA had made a special request to FIFA for permission for the poppies to support Remembrance Day but the world body have now issued a "final statement" rejecting the plea.
A letter from FIFA to the FA sent on Tuesday said: "We regret to inform you that accepting such initiatives would open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world, jeopardising the neutrality of football. Therefore, we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised."
The statement continued: "There are a variety of options where The FA can continue supporting the cause of Remembrance. One of them already was approved by FIFA, the Period of Silence."
FIFA have allowed a minute's silence to be held before the sell-out game, for the England players to wear poppies on their training kit at Wembley on Friday, and to stand for the traditional two minutes' silence to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month on Friday.
FIFA's rules prevent anything of a political nature being worn on shirts and although the organisation does not regard poppies as political, they are concerned it would open the door to countries wanting to wear various different emblems on their shirts, some of which would be overtly political.
Sports minister Hugh Robertson also wrote to FIFA on Tuesday urging them to re-think for both the England game and Wales' match against Norway.
Robertson's letter said: "We fully understand, and respect, FIFA's rules on its member nations not adorning their shirts with 'commercial', 'political', or 'religious' symbols or messages. The FA and FAW do not intend to contravene these rules.
"However, the British public feel very strongly about this issue which is seen as an act of national remembrance to commemorate those who gave their lives in the service of their country. It is not religious or political in any way."
