COMMENTATOR Jon Champion has been ‘spoken to’ by broadcaster ESPN after branding Liverpool striker Luis Suarez a cheat live on air during the FA Cup tie against Mansfield Town.

Champion slammed the Uruguayan for the handball which referee Andre Marriner failed to spot prior to the Reds’ second goal.

As ESPN showed a replay of the incident, Champion said: “That, I’m afraid, is the work of a cheat.”

That sparked an angry reaction from Liverpool supporters and ESPN released a statement regarding the comment.

It read: “We take our responsibility to deliver the highest standards of coverage to our viewers.

“ESPN’s editorial policy is for commentators to be unbiased and honest, to call things as they see them.

“Inevitably this can involve treading a fine line on occasion, especially in the heat of the moment.

“Comments during the Mansfield v Liverpool match caused offence where none was intended and we have spoken to our commentator about this incident.”