An independent commission chaired by Blackstone Chambers Paul Goulding QC has found Liverpool striker Luis Suarez guilty of racially abusing a fellow player.

Manchester United's Patrice Evra accused Suarez of making racially offensive comments after a match at Liverpool's Anfield stadium on 15 October.

The independent panel, which also included former Sunderland manager Denis Smith and Sheffield and Hallamshire Football Association chairman Brian Jones, last night handed Uruguayan Suarez an eight-match suspension and fined him £40,000.

Liverpool Football Club has fiercely contested the ruling, saying it reserves its right to appeal the decision. In a statement the club said: "It is our strong-held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suarez did not commit any racist act. It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible…"

Blackstone Chambers is known for its work with footballers, with barrister Adam Lewis QC acting earlier this month for Wayne Rooney and the FA on their appeal to UEFA. Rooney had been banned for three games after receiving a straight red card for committing a foul in England's final qualifier against Montenegro in October.

In 2008 Goulding was appointed appeal board chairman and specialist member of the FA's judicial panel.