Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has apparently said sorry for the use of a racially-sensitive word which could offend - but has not apologised directly to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. On Tuesday, Suarez began an eight-match ban for the use of racist language towards Evra in a Premier League match at Anfield in October. Upon accepting the penalty he issued a strongly-worded defence of his actions which did not appear to show any remorse. But now, quoted in many newspapers, Suarez has said: "I admitted to the commission that I said a word in Spanish once and only once. I told the panel members that I will not use it again on a football pitch in England. "I never, ever used this word in a derogatory way and if it offends anyone then I want to apologise for that.'' Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor, meanwhile, believes the punishment meted out to Suarez sends a warning that racism in the game will not be tolerated. He said: "It's a lesson to all of us...that all players coming into our game from different countries understand and accept what we are about - equality and diversity. "We have got probably the most multi-cultural game in the world so it's important to set the right example. We don't want him (Evra) feeling a victim. We want our black players to feel comfortable that racism can be dealt with in football terms, as well as the law of the land. "Some issues are bigger than a player, the club or the game and racism is one of those. We have to learn from it and there should be no misunderstanding or ambiguity in the future. "You don't want such issues to divide clubs or society. We're all in a football family but we're all under the law of the land. Once a penalty has been paid and carried out we move on in a positive manner to make sure the penalty acts as a deterrent. The educational process continues.''