Man United drawn to face Liverpool in FA Cup

By ROB HARRIS

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 6:57 p.m. ET Jan. 8, 2012

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -Manchester United has been drawn to face Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup with the clubs in the midst of hostilities over a racist incident during their last match.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches after being found guilty by the English Football Association of repeatedly racially abusing United defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League game in October.

Liverpool was unhappy with United's conduct in the case, accusing the English champions of getting a rival's top player banned "without anything beyond an accusation" and questioning Evra's evidence.

Suarez will still be suspended when Liverpool hosts United at Anfield on the weekend of Jan. 28-29.

United, which reached the fourth round on Sunday by beating holder Manchester City 3-2, has rejected the need for conciliatory talks with Liverpool over the Suarez incident. Evra is yet to receive an apology from Suarez, who has only expressed regret "if" he caused offense by using the Spanish word "negro."

Liverpool ousted Oldham in the third round on Friday in a game that was also marred by accusations of racism, with Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi, who is black, claiming he was abused by fans at Anfield. A man was arrested by police on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense before being released on bail on Sunday.

Another potential fourth-round fixture thrown up by Sunday's draw will also revive racism allegations, with Queens Park Rangers hosting Chelsea if it wins a replay against the MK Dons.

Chelsea captain John Terry is facing a criminal charge for allegedly directing racist comments toward QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a league match at Loftus Road on Oct. 23. Terry, who denies the charge, will appear in court on Feb. 1.

The fourth round will also see Arsenal hosting Aston Villa if it overcomes Leeds on Monday night, while Tottenham makes the short trip north of London to second-tier side Watford.

West Bromwich Albion will face Norwich and Fulham will head to Everton in all-Premier League fixtures, while Sunderland has a northeast derby with Middlesbrough and Newcastle has an away trip to Brighton or Wrexham.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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