Liverpool's players have given their full backing to team-mate Luis Suarez after the striker was given an eight-match ban yesterday.
The 24-year-old yesterday received the punishment after an independent commission found him guilty of misconduct by using insulting words to Patrice Evra which included a reference to the Manchester United defender's colour.
He had been given the full support of the club, who insist the player is not a racist, and now his team-mates have followed suit.
"Luis Suarez is our team-mate and our friend and as a group of players we are shocked and angered that he has been found guilty by the FA," said a joint statement by the squad.
"We totally support Luis and we want the world to know that. We know he is not racist.
"We are a squad of many different nationalities and backgrounds. All of us support the club's commitment to fighting racism. All of us accept there is no place in the game for any form of discrimination.
"As a group of players we totally support the Kick it Out Campaign.
"We have lived, trained and played with Luis for almost 12 months and we don't recognise the way he has been portrayed.
"We will continue to support Luis through this difficult period, and as a popular and respected friend of all his team-mates, he will not walk alone."
The players took their show of support a level further when they appeared for the warm-up all wearing white T-shirts with the image of a celebrating Suarez in red on the front and the player's name and number seven on the back.
Suarez, also wearing a T-shirt, looked relaxed and in good humour during the pre-match routine.