Uruguay embassy deny trying to help Suarez case

The Football Association anticipates a decision today on the racism charge against Liverpool striker Luis Suarez over the allegations that he abused the Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in the game between the two clubs at Anfield two months ago.

Suarez is believed to have given evidence yesterday to the three-man FA independent commission hearing the case.

However, the governing body is so sensitive about the implications of the case that it refused even to confirm yesterday which individuals spoke at the hearing, which was believed to have been held in a hotel in the north-west of England.

The Uruguay embassy in London yesterday strenuously denied rumours that have circulated that the government of Suarez's native country have attempted to intervene on a political level to give context to the kind of words that the player is alleged to have used. The case is being heard according to the usual FA procedure in which the three-man panel – Paul Goulding who is a Queen's Counsel, Brian Jones and Denis Smith – is independent while the governing body takes on the role of the prosecution.

Suarez was charged on 16 November with having used "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour... contrary to FA rules" and the further allegation that "this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra".

The Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said yesterday that the club were fully behind their player, who has emerged as a key figure in the new-look Anfield team since his arrival in January from the Dutch side Ajax.

Dalglish said: "We are standing right beside him and helping him as much as we possibly can. We have said many times before, we cannot say anything which will be prejudicial. After it's finished there is a chance to have a conversation."