Luis Suárez has been charged with improper conduct and Liverpool with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion for incidents that occurred during the 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Monday evening.
Suárez was pictured allegedly making an obscene gesture towards Fulham fans as he walked towards the tunnel at the end of the match and when Jay Spearing was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Moussa Dembélé on 72 minutes, the Liverpool players surrounded Kevin Friend, the referee, to protest against the decision.
Regarding the charges a statement on the Football Association website said: "Liverpool Football Club have been charged by the FA with failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, following the dismissal of Jay Spearing. The charge is in relation to Liverpool's Premier League fixture at Fulham on 5 December 2011. The club has until 4pm on Monday 12 December to respond to the charge. Luis Suárez has also been charged following an incident in the same game. The Liverpool player is charged with improper conduct, in relation to an alleged gesture made towards the Fulham fans at the end of the fixture. The player has until 4pm on Monday 12 December to respond to the charge."
A short statement on Liverpool's website said: "Liverpool FC today received notification from the Football Association of their decision to charge both the club and Luis Suárez following the game against Fulham. The club will take the appropriate time to properly review the documentation sent to us before making any further comment."
Finger of fury: Luis Suarez gestured toward the Fulham fans on Monday night
The count against Suárez follows the Uruguayan being charged by the FA with racially abusing Patrice Evra when Manchester United played Liverpool on 15 October. Evra told the French TV station Canal Plus that Suárez had used a racist insult to him "at least 10 times".
While Suárez strongly denies the allegation and Liverpool have stated they are "fully supportive of him", an FA statement said at the time: "The FA has today charged Liverpool's Luis Suarez following an incident that occurred during the Liverpool versus Manchester United fixture at Anfield on 15 October 2011. It is alleged that Suárez used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules. It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra."
The charges related to the Fulham game are bound to further anger Kenny Dalglish, who called for more protection for his players after Suárez reacted at Craven Cottage to fans who were apparently calling him "cheat".
The manager said: "Scandalous. I would like to see you write that in the paper because you would be in a bit of trouble as well. You write what you want to write. At the end of the day, we will look after Luis the best we can and I think it is about time he got a wee bit of protection from some people."
Suárez will hope to be found innocent regarding both of the charges against him as he may feel that, unfairly or not, he is beginning to acquire the wrong reputation due to these two incidents. If found guilty of one or both of the charges the striker could face a heavy fine or a ban or both. However, each charge will be taken in isolation so there is no possible multiplier effect regarding the sanctions Suárez may receive.
