Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has hit back at criticism of his decision to wear a T-shirt in support of teammate Luis Suarez before the Reds' 0-0 draw against Wigan.

Suarez was handed an eight-match ban and fined 40,000 on Tuesday after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a clash at Anfield earlier this season.

However, Liverpool's players remain supportive of the Uruguay forward and Johnson and the rest of the squad warmed up for the Premier League clash at Wigan on Wednesday in T-shirts featuring a picture of Suarez on the front and his No 7 on the back.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish also wore the shirt during a pre-match television interview, but the stunt provoked an angry reaction in some quarters.

Former Manchester United defender Paul McGrath claimed Johnson - the only black player who regularly starts for Liverpool - should have refused to take part in the T-shirt protest.

"Maybe Kenny (Dalglish) is trying to make a statement to the FA, but I just think it is in bad taste that he sent them out in those T-shirts. It would have been much better for Liverpool Football Club if they had have worn anti-racism shirts," McGrath told the TalkSport radio station.

"There are a lot of children that watch these games and to have done what they did last night, doing their warm-up in T-shirts with his smiling face on it, having just been done for a supposedly racist comment to one of his opponents, is shameful for football.

"If I was in Glen Johnson's situation, I'd have thrown the shirt to the floor. If that had been someone in my time and I'd heard the comments or I'd even suspect he was guilty, and obviously there has been a tribunal, then I would not wear a T-shirt with his name on it, saying all is well and good here."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 12/24/2011 page16)