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Suarez apologises for Evra snub

Comment: 0 February 13th, 2012 by: admin

CONTROVERSIAL Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has issued an apology for snubbing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra during the pre-match Respect Parade at Old Trafford last Saturday.

Suarez received widespread criticism, even from his own club, after he was shown skipping Evra, who accused him of racial abuse.  This led to the eight-match ban that Suarez was slapped with, and from which he only recently emerged.

The 25-year old however spoke with Liverpool’s management and recently issued a public apology for his actions.

“I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong,” he said.  “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.”

With the encounter between Suarez and Evra being an anticipated moment in the days leading up to the match, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish assured days before that Suarez will shake Evra’s hand as a symbol of his willingness to move past the issue.

TV footage, however, showed Suarez snubbing a clearly insulted Evra.  Most likely in response to the snub, Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand refused to take Suarez’s hand when the two met in the line.

“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.”

In a statement regarding the issue, Liverpool’s managing director Ian Ayre publicly criticised Suarez’s action.

“We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday’s game,” said Ayre.  “The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to.

“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra.  He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the Club.  It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.

“Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do.  However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club.”

Dalglish, who was positive about Suarez showing good behaviour towards Evra, snapped at an interviewer when asked after the game about the handshake snub.

“I think you’re very severe and I think you’re bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today,” he said.

He later on apologised for his words, stating that he was “shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier this week that he would do.”

The Scot then went on to explain that he was not aware of the snub when he faced reporters after the match.

“When I went on TV after yesterday’s game I hadn’t seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I’d like to apologise for that.”

A statement from Manchester United had a considerably civil tone, thanking Liverpool for their official apologies, and that “everyone at Old Trafford wants to move on from this.”

The club’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson however was not as diplomatic on the day of the match.

“[Suarez] is a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club, that certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again.

“The history that club’s got and he does that and in a situation like today could have caused a riot.  I was really disappointed in that guy, it was terrible what he did.”

The match saw Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1.

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