Frenzied reaction to Suarez verdict

Luis Suarez: "I'm upset by accusations of racism. I can only say that I have always respected and respect everybody. We are all the same. I go to the field with the maximum illusion of a little child who enjoys what he does, not to create conflicts."

Liverpool club statement: "We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no one else on the field of play heard the alleged conversation... LFC considers racism in any form to be unacceptable - without compromise.

"It is our strong held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suarez did not commit any racist act. It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible - certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations.

"It seems incredible to us that a player of mixed heritage should be accused and found guilty in the way he has based on the evidence presented. We do not recognise the way in which Luis Suarez has been characterised.

"It appears to us that the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suarez, even before interviewing him at the beginning of November."

Kenny Dalglish: "Very disappointed with today's verdict. Let's not let him walk alone."

Kick It Out campaign chairman Lord Herman Ouseley: "The FA has shown leadership and intent through what has clearly been a difficult and complex complaint to deal with, and invested time and expertise to ensure this outcome. It has demonstrated that it will not stand for discrimination, something organisations such as Fifa and Uefa should take heed of."

Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror: "This was a landmark day for English football. A huge test of the FA machine. And one, taking all club allegiances out of the equation, that they did not flunk. Let there be no denying, either, that the Suarez case was a hugely tough one for the FA and the three-man commission asked to rule on nuance and culture as much as the facts...

"It fell to the FA, more specifically to Paul Goulding QC, former Stoke and West Brom boss Dennis Smith and Brian Jones of the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA, whose deliberations were long and detailed, aware that this was the case that would set the precedent for all future incidents to be judged against. That benchmark has now been set. Nobody, whether they come from Uruguay, Uzbekistan or Uttoxeter, can have any doubt over what the position is."

John Dillon, Daily Express: "After all the campaigning against discrimination, which is whole-heartedly supported throughout the professional game, there was no other course of action but to get tough and impose an emphatic punishment. After all the complaints to the European authorities, rightfully made after all those grisly, depressing incidents in which England players have suffered so much neanderthal, ritual torment abroad, they couldn't bottle this one.

"They didn't bottle it. They have dealt with an affair which required the judgment skills of Solomon with all its due seriousness and in accordance with its demands for wisdom, experience and stringency."

Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph: " The doubt is why Suárez was not aware of people's anger at certain words. The three-man Independent Regulatory Commission clearly refused to believe the Uruguayan's defence of 'cultural differences''. The fact that Paul Goulding QC, Brian Jones and Denis Smith deliberated for so long confirmed the complexities of the case and their thoroughness...

"When the dust finally settles, the clubs must consider how to lessen the tension, urging supporters to maintain their rivalry without swimming in vitriol. Some judicious comments from Sir Alex Ferguson and Dalglish would help."

Matt Dickinson, The Times: " Eight games? Twelve games? Twenty games? It was never going to be easy for the disciplinary panel to pluck a figure from the sky given the lack of precedent in this country. But surely none of us is left thinking that eight games for racially abusing an opponent is too harsh...

"To its immense credit, English football has taken a strong lead on anti-racism. There are those who think the stance can be sanctimonious, a little self-congratulatory.No doubt someone will ask this morning whether racially abusing an opponent truly is three times worse than a leg-breaking tackle or smashing someone's cheekbone with an elbow in the face. To which the response is not to soften the penalty for racism but to be harder on the thugs...

"This punishment does not just have a considerable impact across English football, on Liverpool and their striker. It is a penalty that will cause reaction around the sporting world."

Chris Wheeler, Daily Mail: "Considering Luis Suarez had just received a seven-match ban and been branded the 'Cannibal of Ajax' when he moved to Anfield in January, Liverpool should perhaps have realised their new £22.8million signing might land himself in hot water sooner or later. Unfortunately for them, it was sooner. Having already divided opinion in England over the last 11 months by tarnishing his undoubted talent by going to ground too easily too often, the Uruguay striker stands guilty of the far more serious offence of racially abusing Patrice Evra."

David Maddock, Daily Mirror: "Luis Suarez's guilt over racism charges has devastating implications far beyond even the impact on Liverpool's season. The first thing manager Kenny Dalglish must do on Wednesday morning is revise his plans for the January transfer window - so that they include the search for a proven goalscorer.

And if that isn't a big enough headache, the Anfield legend must then sit down and consider if he was right to invest his trust - and massive, hard-earned reputation - so implicitly in the Uruguayan."