Will Luis Suarez have to leave Liverpool FC after Evra snub?
Pressure from Liverpool's American owners could force the Uruguayan striker to leave Anfield
AFTER an extraordinary weekend at Anfield, The Daily Telegraph claims the club's mercurial Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez is set to leave Liverpool following his behaviour at Saturday's clash with Manchester United.
Suarez's snubbing of Patrice Evra in the pre-match handshakes – the first time the two had met since Suarez was handed an eight-match ban for racially abusing the Frenchman in October – caused uproar, as did the immediate reaction of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who lost his rag when a Sky TV reporter asked him about Suarez’s refusal to shake hands.
However, it transpires that the most serious disquiet about the incident was felt in America by the owners of Liverpool FC, the Fenway Sports Group.
Writing in New York Times on Sunday, Rob Hughes said: "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."
Hughes demanded that Fenway's John Henry and Tom Werner "state clearly the direction the team will take on this issue".
Within hours it became clear what that direction would be. The club issued a staggering three apologies for the previous day's sins. Managing director Ian Ayres started things off, saying: "We are extremely disappointed [in Suarez]. He had told us beforehand that he would [shake hands with Evra], but then chose not to do so. He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand."
Then Suarez apologised for letting down not just Kenny Dalglish "but also the club and what it stands for". Finally, Dalglish issued his own mea culpa, admitting: "I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that [Sky Sports] interview and I’d like to apologise for that.”
Manchester United graciously accepted all the statements, and both clubs committed themselves to moving on from the ugly incident. Whether Liverpool do so with Suarez as a player remains to be seen. ·
















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From Respected Black African , Ethiopia
It makes you wonder about the original racial slur allegation, after all the only evidence was the testimony of the accused and his accuser. There was no real evidence, and the FA seemed to jump on this as a big chance to show the world what a fine hard-line anti racist policy they have. Never mind the evidence let's find a scapegoat.
What a wonderful body the FA must be. How do they sleep at night.
Too late too complain and apologize after the match, Mr Fergusson and Mr Dalgleish - they should have known better. Suarez should stay on and play on for Liverpool. It would be a grave mistake by the owners to make him the scapegoat and sell him.
Journalists are making a issue out of it
its not an obligation to shake hands
You all are making a full movie out of that
come on suarez don't take these journalists words,thats their job
Making a mountain of a small issue
Completely agree, the way Evra was set up seemed like he did not have the intention to shake hands.