The controversial attacker remains adamant that he was misunderstood during the incident with Patrice Evra back in October 2011

Barcelona attacker Luis Suarez says he is happy to be labelled a “biter or a diver” but insists he is no racist, despite being banned for eight games in 2011 for abusing Manchester United’s  Patrice Evra while at Liverpool.

The Uruguay star’s career has been littered with episodes of indiscipline, with his suspension three years ago proceeded by a 10-game punishment for biting Branislav Ivanovic in April 2013 and a four-month ban from football after chewing on the shoulder of Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

However, though Suarez has now acknowledged he was wrong to physically attack both players in his new autobiography, he maintains his innocence over the incident involving himself and Evra.

“Call me a biter or a diver, but I’m not a racist. I was banned for eight games and, much worse, got labelled a racist for life. It’s a serious accusation,” the Guardian reveals in an extract from the attacker’s new book.

“It hurts because of how it affects me, it hurts because my wife had to suffer too through the hearing, watching me getting accused of being someone she knows I’m not, and it hurts because in the future the stain will still be there when my children grow up. It’s a slur on my name that no one can take away. 

“Did I use the Spanish word ‘negro’ in an argument that took place, in Spanish, with Patrice Evra on 15 October 2011 in a game between Liverpool and Manchester United? 

“Yes. 

“Is the word ‘negro’ the same in Spanish as it is in English? 

“No, absolutely not. 

“Am I a racist? 

“No, absolutely not. 

“I was horrified when I first realised that is what I was being accused of. And I’m still sad and angry to think that this is a stain on my character that will probably be there forever.”

The 27-year-old made his official Barcelona debut at the weekend in the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid after serving his four-month ban.

The 50-year-old oversaw Liverpool’s €380 million sale to Fenway Sports Group in 2010 and takes up his post at Stamford Bridge with immediate effect

Chelsea have announced that former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has joined the club to run their global commercial activities.

The 50-year-old joined Liverpool in June 2009 but stepped down from his role as managing director 16 months later after overseeing the club’s €380 million sale to Fenway Sports Group.

Chelsea have also reiterated that chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia have assumed additional executive responsibilities following the departure of Ron Gourlay last Wednesday.

A statement from Chelsea, read: “The club has ambitious plans to build the Premier League’s most pioneering global commercial programme, partnering with innovative and market-leading organisations from around the world.

“The club believes Mr Purslow has the vision and the leadership qualities to help us achieve these plans.

“Chelsea does not expect to announce any other senior appointments in the near future. As announced last week, Chairman Bruce Buck and Director Marina Granovskaia have assumed the executive responsibilities held by our former chief executive.”

The summer signing is still looking for his first Premier League goal, and the defender is confident his hard work on and off the field will come good sooner rather than later

Liverpool’s players have full faith in striker Mario Balotelli, despite his poor start to life at Anfield, Martin Skrtel insists.

Balotelli endured another frustrating outing against Hull City on Saturday as missed chances and good saves from goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic helped Steve Bruce’s men escape Merseyside with a 0-0 draw.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has defended Balotelli, and Skrtel echoed his manager’s sentiments – claiming the striker’s colleagues retain confidence that he will come good.

“He is working hard and showed some good moments. Unfortunately we couldn’t score the goal. I feel sorry for him,” Skrtel told reporters.

“He is working hard in training, he is working hard in the game. He just hasn’t got the goals. We just believe in him. We will be supporting him and just hope he will start scoring.”

Liverpool were prevented from scoring for just the second time this season, but their own clean sheet was their second.

The shut-out was not enough to appease Skrtel, who lamented the fact two points had been dropped.

He added: “It’s nice to get a clean sheet but we didn’t get the three points, so that’s not good enough. We played football for the points. We could have won and it’s disappointing.”