Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: Luis Suarez is being victimized, sanction doesn’t fit crime

LIVERPOOL, England – Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez is being victimized by English football’s authorities, saying the striker’s 10-match ban for biting an opponent was given “against the man rather than the incident.”

In his two years at Anfield, Suarez has also served an eight-match ban from the English Football Association for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Rodgers says he doesn’t feel let down by Suarez for biting Branislav Ivanovic during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea, adding that he “has a sanction that doesn’t really fit what he did.”

Rodgers was also disappointed that the punishment has “absolutely no intention towards helping a rehabilitation of the player … Maybe he needs a bit of help.”

Liverpool has until Friday to appeal the suspension.

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