Brighton & Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet has said that he is standing by his comments backing Luis Suarez in the race row involving Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
The 44-year-old defended the Liverpool striker after he was charged by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark towards Evra at Anfield last month.
Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson criticised Poyet's "inappropriate" comments, but the Uruguayan has no regrets over his words.
"[Evra has] played football at every level, in Italy too," Poyet told The Independent. "There would not be time in his life to tell you how many times someone has said something bad to him, so it's quite funny he only says this when he's playing against Liverpool.
"If you are racist, you are against someone who is not like you. Because you are from another country, another continent, or because of the colour of your skin, for me it's the same. And in football they do it to make us react, to go crazy, so we deal with that.
"Patrice Evra should deal with that. Suarez is a lovely guy, and 100% not a racist. I have texted him to support him and to say I'm available if he needs me."
Suarez has maintained his innocence over the accusations.
Danielle Joynson
