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UPDATE: Read the full transcript of Suarez's TV interview here

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Luis Suarez has re-opened the row over his race ban last season, despite being ordered by Liverpool not to discuss it.

The Uruguayan has accused Manchester United of wielding their political power to get him suspended for his controversial comments aimed at United defender Patrice Evra.

The Liverpool striker revealed he was so devastated by the effects of his Evra racism ‘trial’, he was left in tears for days on end as his reputation took a battering.

Speaking to a TV station in his homeland, where the forward is preparing to captain their football team at this summer's Olympics, Suarez offered another explosive insight into his controversial row with Evra.

In it, he claimed:

* United are the political power in English football.

* The Old Trafford club contrived to get him banned.

* It was Evra's fault that the pair didn't subsequently shake hands.

* That the handshake issue was a second conspiracy against him by United.

* He and his wife were reduced to tears by the ordeal.

* Even United fans offered him support.

In the wide-ranging interview with TV show RR Gol, Suarez revealed his Anfield bosses have asked him not to speak about the Evra affair.

But he didn't hold back as he said: "It was so hard what happened to me. I don't show my emotions on the field, but outside I do - and I cried a lot with all the Evra stuff.

"The trial (disciplinary hearing) week was so complicated for me. My wife and I cried a lot during that week.

(Image: Getty)

"People at the club are sure that it was a way that Manchester United used to put me out of the team and stop Liverpool.

"But in England, Man United has this political power, and you have to respect that and shut your mouth."

Suarez made clear that he feels the FA's guilty verdict on a racism charge, and the subsequent eight-match ban, was inspired by United's political clout within the English game.

And he even went as far as to suggest that when he was later vilified for refusing to shake Evra's hand the next time the pair met after the verdict, it was another United conspiracy.

"It was a misunderstanding, what happened between me and Evra at Old Trafford when we were to shake hands," he insisted, but then added:

"In fact, I think it was all arranged against me again, as it had happened with the punishment.

"I promised my wife, the manager and the directors that I was going to shake my hand with Evra. Why not?, I thought, because I had no problems with him.

"I had been punished because of him, but I had no problems with shaking hands. But I was not forced to greet him. I had no problems with Evra. It was only a handshake and I was OK with that.

"The media in England showed the moment when I passed in front of him, but they didn't see that he had his hand low before.

"Only the media in Uruguay and Spain showed that I wanted to shake his hand."

(Image: Sky Sports)

Suarez revealed he felt desperate at times during the long-running saga, but said he was given a major boost from a surprising source when he met a United fan in a restaurant.

"I had to go to Manchester in a taxi for the trial. I got up at seven in the morning and I came home at nine at night. I was exhausted, I was so tired. I wanted to cry, and kick all the things around me," he added.

"I came home and I wanted to do all that, but I couldn't because my daughter was at home. There were really complicated days, and then things became harder after the punishment.

"But Man United fans respect me.

"I have an anecdote: One day, after what had happened with the Man United player, a Man United fan came to the restaurant where I was having lunch with my wife and asked for a picture. He told me, 'I admire you as a footballer.'"

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