Gus Poyet has admitted he is disappointed and surprised to see compatriot Luis Suarez hit by an eight-game ban.

The Liverpool striker was suspended and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, sparking furore back in Uruguay.

Poyet, himself a Uruguayan sporting hero, was being contacted for comment by media in his homeland even before Suarez’s fate was known.

Speaking after hearing the verdict, Poyet admitted: “The ban is a surprise for me because we all know how Luis is as a person.”

The Seagulls boss added: “I can only be guided by what is said on the statement from Liverpool FC about the FA believing Patrice Evra.

“I don’t know what the player has said to the panel but it looks like there were no other players from either team called in.

“No other player from Liverpool or Manchester United heard anything.

“It looks as if this sets a precedent for the future.”

Suarez’s representative last night confirmed the player will appeal.

Meanwhile, former Albion loanee Gonzalo Jara Reyes is likely to miss just one meaningful international for Chile, despite a ten-game ban.

Jara Reyes was one of five players suspended for breaking a team curfew ahead of a recent match.

The players have been told they can apply for a pardon after the first five games of the suspension.

Those fixtures comprise four friendlies plus a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in June.

Jara Reyes was recalled from loan by injury-hit West Bromwich Albion this week but the Seagulls are keen to bring him back south.

He did not feature at Newcastle last night.