Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has blamed Manchester United's "political power" for his eight-game ban last season.
The Uruguayan was handed the suspension and a £40,000 fine in December after being found guilty of racially abusing United defender Patrice Evra in a Premier League match.
And the 25-year-old believes the influence of the Old Trafford club had a direct result on the length of his ban.
Suarez told Uruguayan television show RR.Gol: "They were very tough days to me. I am not used to showing what I really feel, but the trial week was very difficult. I also cried alongside my wife.
"People at Liverpool are sure that it was a way that Manchester United used to put me out of the team and stop Liverpool. In England, Manchester United's political power is strong and you must respect that and shut your mouth."
The controversy was re-ignited in February, when Suarez seemingly refused Evra's handshake as the teams conducted their traditional pre-match greeting. The striker, however, claims his actions were misunderstood.
People at Liverpool are sure that it was a way that Manchester United used to put me out of the team and stop Liverpool
Luis Suarez
He added: "In England, it was shown the moment when I passed in front of him, but they didn't see that he had his hand low before.
"Only the media in Uruguay and Spain showed that I wanted to shake his hand.
"Previously, I had promised my wife, the manager and the directors that I was going to shake hands with Evra. There was a chance for the teams not to shake hands like in a game between QPR and Chelsea [following the Anton Ferdinand-John Terry racism row], but I told them I was to shake hands with him.
"'Why not?', I thought, because I had no problems with him. I had been punished because of him, but I had no problems with shaking hands."
