London: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was charged on Wednesday with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
Evra, who is black, made the allegations last month after United's 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League.
Evra was quoted as telling French TV station Canal Plus that "there are cameras, you can see him (Suarez) say a certain word to me at least 10 times."
"It is alleged that Suarez used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behavior towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules," the English Football Association said in a statement. "It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or color and/or race of Patrice Evra."
Uruguayan Suarez has denied the allegations and has been backed by his club throughout the investigation.
"We will discuss the matter fully with him when he returns from international duty, but he will plead not guilty to the charge and we expect him to request a personal hearing," Liverpool said in a statement. "Luis remains determined to clear his name of the allegation made against him by Patrice Evra. The club remain fully supportive of Luis in this matter."
The FA - and London police - are still investigating England captain John Terry for allegedly racially abusing an opponent while playing for Chelsea.
The FA probe is on hold while police examine whether Terry did direct a racist slur at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a match last month.
The Liverpool versus United match was on October 15, the weekend before Chelsea captain Terry is alleged to have racially insulted Ferdinand during a Premier League game at Loftus Road. Terry was caught close-up on camera mouthing what appeared to be insults.
There is no TV footage of Suarez's alleged insults aimed at Frenchman Evra, and Suarez has been quoted as saying he was only calling Evra what he heard his own team-mates calling him.
Manchester United reported the FA charge on their website, reiterating recent comments by their manager Alex Ferguson that Evra was keen to press on with the matter.
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