Suarez 'upset', intent on restoring image: Lawyer

Luis Suarez is "deeply upset" but is determined to continue to play at his best level for both his club Liverpool and Uruguay after being hit with an eight-match ban, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

The striker received the punishment on Tuesday after a Football Association disciplinary hearing found he had racially abused Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

The FA determined Suarez - who was also fined £40,000 - had abused the Frenchman during a 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield on October 15.

Giving his reaction to the verdict Suarez's lawyer, Alejandro Balbi told local media: "He is deeply upset but he has told us that he's going to redouble his efforts to continue to play the best way possible not only for his English club but also for the Uruguay national team."

Balbi added that Suarez "strongly denies the racist acts levelled against him" and that he had greeted his punishment "with a great deal of pain but also with a lot of dignity and with the support of his family and friends".

"He will protest his innocence right to the end," stressed Balbi, who said his client wanted to "restore his tarnished image, at least at the heart of English football".

Suarez received support from Uruguay's national sports director Ernesto Irvreta who said he was "indignant" at the "disproportionate" ruling.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano claimed Suarez was "a victim" and denounced what he described as "a huge mistake".