That's damage limitation PR. I doubt the powers that be across the pond have even seen the incident yet. If the club defend him to the hilt they are bound to incur the wrath of the FA. I can't see him getting less than a 6-8 game ban. They will not want to be seen as weaker than the Dutch FA who gave him seven, (which doesn't seem to have been enough, as he is still at it.) Starting next season without him, for maybe 4-5 games, instantly puts them on the back foot. The lack of any European football again means they will not be able to sign somebody of similar quality, so their options are somewhat limited. Ayre's statement is the equivalent of the players wearing T-shirts with Suarez name on them, an empty gesture that will be quietly forgotten in a "fee undisclosed" transfer in the summer. Suarez is a good footballer but he is a brand or PR managers nightmare and for better or worse, they are the sort of people who have a huge say in football these days.
Also, the last thing you want to say, if you are selling something, is that you don't want it anymore. You talk up your need for it and say how indispensable it is to you. If you say it is no use to you, that will drive the price into the basement. He is a dead man walking.
You couldn't be more wrong. Local Boston press have been all over it. They were disgusted by the Evra incident and Boston Sox supporters made it clear they should give up Liverpool. They didn't. Boston Red Sox haveing sold out over 700 games in a row haven't managed a sellout this season despite doing well. Oh yes,they know about it alright.

