Juventus defender Patrice Evra has insisted that he harbours no animosity toward Luis Suarez following an infamous race row almost three years ago.
The former Liverpool striker was handed an eight-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra - then at Manchester United - at Anfield in October 2011.
"Suarez called me negro seven times. I've had bananas thrown, I've had shouts from behind me, but I've never taken it on board - it's the ignorance of those who are afraid of something different, I understand that," he told La Repubblica.
"Suarez, however, was an opponent and I was going to react to him. I asked myself: what should I do? Give him a punch that would be seen around the world, that will earn a two-year ban, that all the kids will see?
"I forgave him. I also voted him as the best player in the Premier League. A player doesn't hold a grudge, and the man does not concern me, whether he is racist or not."
Suarez - now with Barcelona - is serving a four-month ban from competitive football after biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup back in June.
Shane Callaghan
