Luis Suarez v Patrice Evra

[Toadboy]

The handshake masks the (yet again - how many clubs have been through this at that shithole?) tunnel violence, Evras pitiful pettiness and Fergusons latest elder statesmen speech.

Where does it rank on his

*defending racist footballer- his own of course
*racist/xenophobic quips
*defence of a man who jumped over the perimeter barrier to assault a fan
*accusations that other teams will throw games to hurt Man United
*attacks on referees and linesmen
*encyclopaedic knowledge of Liverpool FC
*misappropriation of his employers funds
*complicity in defrauding the state of Housing Benefit

I said it at the time, this is can of worms, it never had anything to do with racism. The reason Luis Suarez and Liverpool FC didn't apologise over a misinterpretation from the game at Anfield is because they were told that the investigation was centred on Luis Suarez referring to Patrice Evra as N I G G E R. This was not clarified until 20 days later, by which point it was all over in terms of a meaningful defence.

The player or the club could not appeal the outcome, only the ban. To appeal the ban Suarez would have to show contrition. As Suarez believe Evra has lied and there is no corroboration or evidence to back Evra up, why would he accept he's a racist? Would you?

There is no further route to challenge the FA or it's commission without recourse to the courts. To do that you have to sue the FA, even if you "won" you'd be about 30 points down and have all sorts of punative fines hanging over you.

And who instigated N I G G E R? Go on, one guess.

There will be no line drawn under anything. This is still early days. No one will come out of this with credit apart from within their own factions.

From a Liverpool perspective I want to see some leadership from the clubs executives, they need to stand firmly behind their men or get rid and bend over to Fergusons whims.

I'd call them out, I'd make it clear that whilst the club adhered to the commissions finding and punishment, it rejects it and it's methodology. I'd accuse Alex Ferguson and Patrice Evra of lying. The onus would then be on them to take it further or draw a line under it.

For all the "neutrals" either do some reading, analyse and get involved or shut up. It's embarrassing to see and hear Sky/Man United/shoddy British media being regurgitated parrot fashion.

For football, it needs to sort it's governance out. The FA and Premier League are clearly not fit for purpose when you see the money issues. For them it's all about the product and the brand, it's not about football.

[jrb]

It's time the FA or PL got rid of this stupid f***ing handshake once and for all.

Bored Execs sat around a posh table banding stupid and worthless ideas about, to justifi their over inflated pay packets.

[Toadboy]

Is right Jerb, run on the pitch, warm up, play match get off home.

I always appreciated having an opponent and would most acknowledge them at the end of the game, when playing. Sometimes you'd have a spot of pandy but that mainly stayed on the pitch, you just go your own way after the match. As fan I do it these days as well. The point is you make the choice, based on how you feel.

The handshake has nothing to do with players respecting each other, but everything to do with the FA and Premier League promoting their brand to the world.

[yoshef]

Sepp Blatter has provoked more controversy by claiming that racism in football can be solved with a handshake

[nzmanc]

You might not like Ferguson but he's fucked over you half wits totally Liverpool is a byword for racist scum now leave enough rope and all that

[invincibletiger]

Suarez did nothing wrong. He was falsely accused of being a racist (atleast, he thinks so). Why should he go on and shake hands with that liar (in his opinion). Also, who is Alex Ferguson to decide whether Suarez should play for Liverpool or not.

By the way that hypocrite Rio Ferdinand, who less than a year back lambasted Balotelli's celebrations, didn't say anything about Evra's.

[Toadboy]

Originally Posted by nzmanc

You might not like Ferguson but he's fucked over you half wits totally Liverpool is a byword for racist scum now leave enough rope and all that

As a socialist he must be so proud.

[Toadboy]

Originally Posted by invincibletiger

Suarez did nothing wrong. He was falsely accused of being a racist (atleast, he thinks so). Why should he go on and shake hands with that liar (in his opinion). Also, who is Alex Ferguson to decide whether Suarez should play for Liverpool or not.

By the way that hypocrite Rio Ferdinand, who less than a year back lambasted Balotelli's celebrations, didn't say anything about Evra's.

Is right tiger.

[JD47]

Originally Posted by nezzybaby

How about "LFC fans keep on digging"

Utd are possibly the most hated team in the UK amongst neutrals yet I see very few coming out in support of Liverpool in this issue.

Liverpool are not digging.
I created this thread because this was all being said on the PL thread and everyone said bring it somewhere else.
He did not shake his hand. Its not a big deal. Everyone needs to get over it. End of.

[JD47]

The whole handshake thing is stupid anyway.
It does not show any respect between the players because they are told to do it and when one does not do it look what happens. Suarez did not want to shake his hand because he feels he has been treated unfairly and it does not matter if he was or was not but he thinks he was and he is angry at Evra so why shake his hand. I dont think there is a right or wrong to this issue. I would be annoyed at Evra if I was being called a racist. Footballers have to much power over the game anyway. Its about the two clubs Liverpool and Man Utd when they play not about a few players. I think Ferguson is out of line tellin the media what Liverpool FC should do. Evra did not make it any better by celebrating in front of Suarez. That would start a riot Alex.
Oh yeah and to all the so called neutrals. Did you read the 115 page report by the FA. I would not of thought you would have if you did not care.

[Axelferis]

Originally Posted by JD47

You are no Liverpool fan if you want Man Utd to win.
If you have something against Daglish and Suarez fine but you are not a Liverpool FC fan if you want Man Utd to beat them.
I say you are not European and dont really like football. Probaly American. Am I right.
Why would you want them to win.

I am a french fan of Liverpool and i maintain i was for MUFC for this match

A lot of guys here continue to defend this jerk that makes dirty this red jersey.

it's time to wake man! I was so crazy in 2005 for the CL victory.

This guy is a shame and LFC didn't need this guy to win 5X CL

Stop to support this indefendable "person".

LFC pass now for a incompetent club.
What do you think will le bron james (shareholder) think of this suarez guy?

I won't support LFC anymore until this guy leave it.

[paulmat]

Suarez is the worst kind of footballer (i.e. a shitty little prick). I hope he never plays in England again, but unfortunately I suspect he will.

[terryfied]

Suarez statement:

"I have spoken with the Manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong," Suarez said via a statement on Liverpool's official website.

"I've not only let him down, but also the Club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.

"I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

[legolamb]

The New York Times aren't impressed with Livpewlfootballclub.

And they aren't Minglish.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/sp...-nytimessports

Another Ugly Incident Mars Liverpool’s Good Name
By ROB HUGHES
Published: February 11, 2012

If the Fenway Sports Group is to be the responsible team owner in soccer that it has proved to be in baseball, it needs to get hold of Liverpool, its club in England’s Premier League, and repair its global image fast.
Enlarge This Image
Kerim Okten/European Pressphoto Agency

Liverpool's Luis Suárez, left, refused to shake the hand of United's Patrice Evra, second from right, before Saturday's game.
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On Saturday, Liverpool lost at Manchester United, 2-1, allowing United to temporarily move into first place in the Premier League. There is no disgrace in such a loss; United, the defending English champion, is vying to keep that title this season, and it very rarely loses at home.

But there was disgrace, witnessed by television viewers around the world, in the refusal of Liverpool’s Luis Suárez to shake the hand of United’s Patrice Evra before kickoff.

The hand might not always be offered with sincerity. It might often be less than the noble sign of pregame respect between opponents that FIFA would like to have us believe it is. But in this case it was important to show a global audience that Suárez and Evra were man enough to touch palms and bury the enmity between them.

This was the first time that Suárez had started a game since he was barred for eight matches for repeatedly calling Evra racist names when they competed against each other last October. Suárez claimed that the words he uttered, as used in his Uruguayan hometown, were not racist but could be affectionate. Evra, who is black and French, but understands Spanish well, said he was deeply offended.

Both players are feisty, provocative, volatile characters, as their records for their clubs, and their national teams, have long shown. Evra led the French team that mutinied against its coach and refused to train during the 2010 World Cup. Suárez was the player who made no apology for deliberately handling the ball that led to Ghana’s elimination from that tournament, and he was purchased by Liverpool after he was suspended in the Dutch league for biting an opponent.

It would seem that each of them would wish to show that, for the sake of their team if not their own reputation, they could abide by the rules and rituals of the game that makes their fortune.

Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson began the week by publicly asking his players to rise above any bitter feelings they had and display sportsmanship on the field. He said he spoke with Evra on Saturday morning.

“Patrice and I had a chat,” Ferguson said, “and he said: ‘I’m going to shake his hand. I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. I want to keep my dignity.’ ” When the moment arrived, it was beyond Evra’s grasp.

Suárez shook hands with the referee, and then with the child who was United’s mascot for the day. He then stared at the ground, ignoring the hand extended by Evra and walking toward the next man in line, goalkeeper David de Gea.

Evra grabbed the arm of Suárez, who shrugged him off. De Gea seemed to try to ask Suárez to shake Evra’s hand, and he again refused. The next United player in line, Rio Ferdinand, then withdrew his hand as Suárez passed.

“After seeing what happened, I decided not to shake his hand,” Ferdinand said after the game. “I lost all respect for the guy.”

Ugly repercussions followed. The United crowd booed Suárez, as the Liverpool crowd had booed Evra in its stadium when the teams met in the F.A. Cup two weeks ago.

In the tunnel as the teams headed to halftime Saturday, the teams scuffled after Evra attempted to say something to Suárez. The police and stewards intervened to separate the players.

The Suárez-Evra feud overshadowed the top-class soccer these teams are capable of. United quickly took a 2-0 lead on two goals by the Liverpool-born Wayne Rooney.

The first was from a corner by Ryan Giggs, when Rooney’s sharp anticipation and reflexes led to a short-range volley in a poorly defended penalty area. The second started when Antonio Valencia preyed on an error from Jay Spearing and with split-second vision teed up Rooney, who put a shot between the legs of goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

A late consolation goal by Liverpool, with Suárez reacting like lightning to Ferdinand’s failure to control a deflection, highlighted Suárez’s immense talent. It is that talent that everyone should be talking about, and not racism, especially in a game in which 11 nationalities were represented.

Long after the lights were switched off at Old Trafford, Suárez wrote on Twitter that he was “sad” because of the loss and “disappointed because everything is not that it seems.”

Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish claimed he did not see Suárez refuse the handshake, or the shoving in the tunnel at halftime. He had said earlier in the week that Suárez should not have been barred for what he said about Evra, but that he had spoken to Suárez and he knew that Suárez would shake the hand of Evra.

When he was asked on Sky TV after the game why Suárez had not, Dalglish avoided directly answering the question.

“I think you are bang out of order to blame Luis Suárez for whatever happened today,” Dalglish said.

Shortly before that, Evra was whooping to all corners of the stadium. The referee, Phil Dowd, who had managed the game commendably, at that point physically restrained Evra and asked him not to further inflame the players or the supporters.

Ferguson was less charitable. “He is a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club,” he said of Suárez. “That certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again.”

It is time for John Henry and Tom Werner, leaders of the Fenway Group that controls Liverpool, to state clearly the direction the team will take on this issue.
A version of this article appeared in print on February 12, 2012, on page SP2 of the New York edition with the headline: Another Ugly Incident Mars Liverpool’s Good Name.

[JD47]

Originally Posted by Axelferis

I am a french fan of Liverpool and i maintain i was for MUFC for this match

A lot of guys here continue to defend this jerk that makes dirty this red jersey.

it's time to wake man! I was so crazy in 2005 for the CL victory.

This guy is a shame and LFC didn't need this guy to win 5X CL

Stop to support this indefendable "person".

LFC pass now for a incompetent club.
What do you think will le bron james (shareholder) think of this suarez guy?

I won't support LFC anymore until this guy leave it.

You can dislike Suarez all you want. I dont care but you are not a Liverpool fan if you want Man Utd to beat them.

[JD47]

Originally Posted by legolamb

The New York Times aren't impressed with Livpewlfootballclub.

And they aren't Minglish.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/sp...-nytimessports

Who cares. They are Yanks who are all up for Man Utd but really they dont have a clue about football or as they call it soccer.

[JD47]

Originally Posted by terryfied

Suarez statement:

"I have spoken with the Manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong," Suarez said via a statement on Liverpool's official website.

"I've not only let him down, but also the Club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.

"I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

Good now we can let this go and get on with it unless Man Utd come out and say something stupid. I think they will. He said sorry now if that is not good enough for some people then they should get over it.

[terryfied]

Originally Posted by JD47

Good now we can let this go and get on with it unless Man Utd come out and say something stupid.

Remind us who it was that started this inflammatory thread?

[JD47]

Originally Posted by terryfied

Remind us who it was that started this inflammatory thread?

Only because it was the only thing being said on the PL thread.
Everyone else said that a Liverpool and Man Utd fans should bring
this arguement elsewhere so I started this thread.

[3SPIRES]

Originally Posted by JD47

Who cares. They are Yanks who are all up for Man Utd but really they dont have a clue about football or as they call it soccer.

It's a worldwide conspiracy against Liverpool Football Club!!!!1