Ayre gives backing to Suarez

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has stressed Luis Suarez retains the club's full support and insists the striker will not be affected by his latest controversy.

The fall-out continues to rumble on from the Uruguay international's handball for the second goal in the 2-1 FA Cup win at Mansfield. Even a Methodist minister from the Nottinghamshire town has waded into the debate, criticising the "evil" of a lack of sportsmanship in football in general.

But Ayre, who dismissed claims by Stags chairman John Radford he was embarrassed by Suarez's actions, said the striker had nothing to worry about. "There have been plenty of decisions which have gone against Luis this season," he said.

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