MANCHESTER, England -- Aggrieved at the severity of Luis Suarezs 10-match ban for biting an opponent, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers launched a robust defence of the striker Thursday and said the punishment was given "against the man rather than the incident. Sean Lissemore Jersey." Suarez was hit with one of English footballs longest suspensions for on-pitch misbehaviour after biting Branislav Ivanovic during Liverpools 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. "He has a sanction that doesnt really fit what he did," Rodgers said. "I cant help but look at it and look at the sanction thats been put on Luis for the incident, and honestly feel the punishment has been against the man rather than the incident. Thats my underlying feeling." Backing up his theory, Rodgers cited a similar offence committed in 2006 by Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who only received a yellow card. Defoe escaped further punishment because the referee saw the incident at the time, meaning the incident couldnt be looked at retroactively. In the same year, Chesters Sean Hessey was banned for five matches for a bite on Stockports Liam Dickinson in a lower-league match in England. "For him (Suarez) to receive that when other comparisons of similar instances is somewhat different, is hard to take," Rodgers said. "It is the severity of the ban that has hurt most. That is something we are bitterly disappointed with." A disciplinary panel ruled that a regular three-match ban for violent conduct was "clearly insufficient" and added seven games to Suarezs suspension, which rules him out for the rest of the campaign and for the first six matches of next season. Suarez has until Friday to appeal against the extra seven games added to his sanction. The Uruguay international, who was fined by Liverpool after admitting to biting Ivanovic, was banned for seven matches in 2010 for a similar offence while playing for Ajax against PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league. That incident earned him the "Cannibal of Ajax" nickname. Suarez was also suspended for eight games in December 2011 for making racist insults toward Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a match. "I think on reflection, whenever you look at it in the cold light of day, it was violent conduct. The football club admitted it, Luis admitted it -- he understood he needed to be punished," Rodgers said. "But I think we have a punishment with absolutely no intention toward helping a rehabilitation of the player. Thats whats disappointing. Maybe he needs a bit of help." Critics say Rodgers is in danger of making Suarez the victim in the case, just like Liverpool did in the racism controversy involving Evra when the club was heavily criticized. However, Rodgers is unceasing in his backing of the Premier Leagues second-highest scorer this season with 23 goals. "He hasnt let me down one bit, not at all," Rodgers said. "I believe if I had half-a-dozen players with the similar mentality we would be in a different position as a club. "He fell way below the standards set at the club but it doesnt mean he should be thrown to the garbage, which is what has happened with a lot of people in the last few days. He is working tirelessly, him and his family, to fit into the way of life in this country." Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina said Thursday the length of Suarezs suspension is "absurd, out of proportion and unfair." "He is being treated differently, I dont know if its because hes Uruguayan or because hes had a previous episode like this," Reina told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. "It seems that the people making the decisions have got it in for Luis a little bit. Thats the way I see it." Dan Bailey Jersey. 10. In Part 1 of his analysis, he looks at Canadas blue line. Hockey Canada is obviously disappointed that Ryan Murray - the second overall pick to Columbus in the 2012 NHL Draft - wont be available for the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship because of his shoulder injury, but no one is about to feel sorry for Team Canada. Bruce Carter Jersey. When Toronto drafted DeRozan ninth overall back in 2009 he was looked upon as a transformational, potentially cornerstone-level player. Names like Andre Iguodala and Vince Carter were thrown around as comparisons, and the club inserted him into the starting lineup on Day One as a way of kick-starting his development as an NBA player. http://www.shopcowboysgear.us/demarcus-ware-cowboys-jersey/. This week they discussed who needs to step up for the Toronto Argonauts in Ricky Rays absence, Winnipegs chances of making the playoffs and who the favourite for CFL MOP is. Jason Witten Jersey.J. -- Carmelo Anthony saw the Knicks jerseys in the stands, heard the cheers, and felt right at home. Nate Livings Jersey. The 35-year-old Given, who has signed a five-year deal with Villa, lost his place in the City team last season to Joe Hart. "Everyone knows that I didnt play enough football last season, so Im really pleased that Ill be able to put that right here," Given said on the Villa website.HAVANA, Cuba -- The coach of Dayron Robles says the 2008 Olympic 110-meter hurdles champion will sit out the year because he is upset with his treatment from Cuban sports officials. Robles coach, Santiago Antunez, told the Associated Press on Saturday that Robles doesnt want to go on. Antunez said he hadnt been able to change his mind. "Dayron is very upset," Antunez said. "He doesnt feel like hes being taken care of, and its not about money or things like that. Rather, its a human problem, a question of personal attention. Nobody speaks with him, nobody explains anything, nobody says anything. ... He doesnt want to go on." Robles won the gold medal in Beijing, but pulled up midway through the gold-medal race in London clutching his right hamstring. Antunez said, at 226, Robles still had the ability to get better. Chris Jones Jersey. But he acknowledged he had picked up lots of injuries since 2008 and lost his world record last year to American Aries Merritt. "What Dayron has achieved so far, he had done overcoming many problems," Antunez said. "He could never train all-out." Antunez said Robles still had the ability to break Merritts world record of 12.80 seconds. Robles old record was 12.87. Given Robles mood, Antunez said he was also thinking about retiring. "I only keep going on because of Dayron," he said. "I have a moral obligation as a coach. ... He is like my son and I never wanted to abandon him. But right now I am thinking seriously about retiring and, as they say, watching from the stands." ' ' '