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Suarez, Evra to shake hands before EPL match

Comment: 0 February 8th, 2012 by: admin

Manchester United’s Patrice Evra will engage in a pre-match handshake with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez on as the teams prepare for a tension-laden showdown this weekend.

The awkward incident will take place after the Premier League decided not to cancel the ritualistic Respect Parade, which sees all players of each team’s starting XI shake the hand of every member of the opposing squad.

This ritual was skipped during the match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea at Loftus Road after players Anton Ferdinand and John Terry were also embroiled in a heated racism issue.  Premier League officials made the decision while faced with the possibility of a number of QPR members snubbing Terry’s handshake offer.

For Saturday, if Suarez and Evra will be in their respective teams’ starting lineup, neither one will be spared from the ritual as the two meet for the first time since the Liverpool striker’s re-emergence after being suspended for using racist language towards Evra last October.

When asked about the situation, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated that he believed Evra should take the initiative to overcome the tension and agree to shake Suarez’s hand.

“[Evra] should be applauded for [reporting Suarez’s racism comments], standing up to it,” said the Red Devils boss.  “There is no shame for him.  The matter is over.  He can rise above [snubbing Suarez’s handshake]”

While a fairly tense atmosphere is expected on the pitch, the situation might be more blatant and vocal up in the stands, where thousands of Manchester United fans are expected to send more than a few angry chants during the match.

A similar scene took place during the teams’ FA Cup tie at Anfield last 28 January, when Liverpool fans continually booed Evra and accused him of lying about Suarez’s verbal attacks.

“Patrice handled it OK,” Ferguson recalled.  “I don’t think he enjoyed it but he handled it OK.  Patrice has already shown the courage to fight it, so he has nothing to be ashamed of.  I don’t think it’s a problem, shaking hands.”

As for Suarez, teammate Glen Johnson assured that Suarez has enough strength to show up with no fear at Old Trafford.

“It’s tough place to go to, Old Trafford.  Luis is a strong character and he will try to let his football do the talking,” said the defender.  “He is a fantastic player.  He has had a long break now and hopefully he will be fresh and ready to put in a performance at the weekend.  He is the sort of player we need in the team.”

Suarez also received hearty support from Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who upon the Uruguayan’s return Monday stated that the FA should not have banned the striker to begin with.

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