Sunday was very much a case of the morning after. After all the shenanigans of a very busy Saturday lunchtime clash between Liverpool and Manchester United something was always going to emerge from Anfield attempting to salvage anything they could as far as Luis Suarez, the club and Kenny Dalglish were concerned. It’s clear Dalglish and Suarez would have woken up regretting the events which had unfolded the previous day and with the expected pressure from the Fenway Sports Group, who own the club, they decided to act sooner rather than later.
Dalglish attempted to apologise for the way he dealt with his post match interview with the professional Geoff Shreeves, his statement read, ‘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’. Perhaps most telling from this statement is the fact Dalglish was clearly surprised at Suarez’s decision not to shake Evra’s hand as they appeared to have an agreement to do so, therefore not only under minding the club but also Dalglish.
What was it Dalglish said when Fernando Torres decided to leave the club? No player is bigger than the football club; Suarez seems to think he is. Dalglish can perhaps be forgiven for his emotional barrage towards Shreeves because after all he has done enough to earn a reprieve but can the same be said for Suarez?
Suarez also released a statement stressing his sorrow at the events which took place, ‘I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong. 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’. It’s a heart felt apology from the Uruguayan which goes further to suggest the extent to which he has betrayed the Football club and its image but should we really be so keen to accept his apology? After all it’s not the first time Suarez has been embroiled in controversy.
Luis Suarez was signed on the back of controversy, he was banned for an extraordinary act of cannibalism for Ajax before his remarkable handball on the line against Ghana in the World Cup, an act he showed no remorse for as he celebrated wildly on the touchline as the resulting penalty was missed. So with his chequered past should Suarez’s apology be treated with no acceptance as he could be a man who can simply not see the dividing line between good and bad as his competitiveness force is just too much? Perhaps the summer could be the time when Liverpool cash in on the player who is undoubtedly world class but is single handedly tarnishing the Clubs image with every kick off the ball.
There a very tough times ahead for Dalglish and Liverpool as they muddle towards the end of the season. Dalglish and Liverpool have just about got there dignity and reputation still intact but its a long way back for Luis Suarez to regain any sort of standing amongst the fans and media. Maybe that standing will never be restored and Liverpool are better off without the Uruguayan who could end up as a being a toxic influence on the historic club.
Follow Francis Kerins on twitter: Franciskerins94.
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Unfortunatley this has been orchestrated by the FA.
A decision was made before the recent QPR/Chelsea match to abandon the prematch handshake to avoid difficulties between John Terry and Anton Ferdinand as a result of a case where there is actual evidence.
Suarez believes that Evra lied, and this was the only evidence against him. Of course he feels aggrieved.
Why did the FA not abandon the prematch handshake in this case?
devils are everywhere
Yeah toxic as long as people like you continue to stir things up. If Cantona can be forgiven, then why not Suarez? After allnobody heard him saying that word once, never mind seven times except Evra apparently. He did not have to admit using the word Negrito, but did so to be truthful and because he misguidedly thought it to be acceptable. He is not accused by Manchester Utd or even Evra himself of being racist, but of using a racist word in UK society terms. Quit acting like he is a racist. He was, however, wrong and foolish to go against his word and not shake Evra’s hand. He has apologised for that, the FA say it’s not mandatory or a disciplinary matter, and Man Utd have accepted the apologies, so why keep it all going just for internet hits?
Get a life. Move on