Liverpool’s Suarez banned for obscene gesture

— Already facing the prospect of a lengthy ban for racially abusing an opponent, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez landed in more disciplinary trouble on Wednesday when he was suspended for one match for making an obscene gesture to supporters during a Premier League game.

The Uruguay international was also fined 20,000 ($31,000) and warned about his future conduct after being photographed walking from the pitch following Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Fulham with his middle finger raised, apparently toward home fans.

Suarez's ban takes immediate effect, meaning he will miss Friday's league match against Newcastle at Anfield, and Liverpool may have to get used to being without its chief attacker.

England's Football Association handed the player an eight-game ban last week after accepting an allegation by Manchester United defender Patrice Evra that Suarez directed a racial insult at him during the 1-1 draw between the northwest rivals on Oct. 15.

The lawyer for Suarez signaled his client would appeal against that ban, and he has until Jan. 3 to do so.

Suarez chose to accept the lighter charge of improper conduct arising from the Fulham match while Liverpool was also fined 20,000 pounds on Wednesday because its players argued with referee Kevin Friend over his decision to send off midfielder Jay Spearing during the same game.

Andy Carroll is likely to lead Liverpool's forward line against the Newcastle, the club that sold the striker to Anfield for a club-record fee of 35 million pounds ($56 million) in January.

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