Former Liverpool midfielder John Barnes has described the treatment of Luis Suarez as a "witch hunt".
The Reds striker has been given an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine by the Football Association for making racist remarks towards Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a match in October.
"From a cultural point of view, [Suarez] has been backed by people from Uruguay saying the word he used is not deemed as a racist term," Barnes told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"As much as we will say that ignorance is no excuse, ignorance is an excuse.
"Twenty years ago in England, the same people in England now condemning him were ignorant as to what racism is. Why don't they condemn themselves?"
Barnes also questioned where to draw the line when it comes to abuse in football.
"When Manchester United play Liverpool and 10,000 United fans are saying 'you Scouse thieves', I'd like them all to be banned," he added.
"And Liverpool fans too, when they say 'you Manc or whatever'. So where are we going to draw the line? Racism has to be zero tolerance but this is now a witch hunt."
Suarez has two weeks to appeal the FA's decision.
