Evra accuses Suarez of racism

[Craig_H]

Suarez is now paying for the reputation he acquired himself.

I posted a couple of weeks ago in the other thread that this was going to happen. He did nothing wrong against WBA, but he has thrown the odd exaggerated fall since he's been here, and it's starting to count against him. Once a reputation like this has been acquired, it's incredibly hard to get rid of it.

[rodo]

On 15th October Liverpool and Manchester United locked horns at Anfield in what Alex Ferguson had billed as ‘the biggest club match in the world’.

No doubt the worldwide television audience for the game ran into many hundreds of millions, justifying the United boss’ assertion.

The game ended in a draw, with the home side wondering just how they had let a victory slip from their grasp. However, it would not be the result of the match, or the effects on the two clubs’ league position that would still be making shockwaves two weeks later.

The immediate aftermatch discussions centred on the only real moment of controversy during the ninety minutes. Did Rio Ferdinand trip Charlie Adam as he bore down on the United goal, leading to the free-kick from which Liverpool opened the scoring? If so, should Ferdinand have seen a second yellow? Or on the other hand, did Adam cheat and dive with no contact?

The final poser was addressed during Ferdinand’s post match Sky interview, in which he confirmed that there was contact. Of course this would not satisfy the United fans. Why let the truth get in the way of a good old bleat?

Ordinarily that short-lived debate would have been a weekend wonder, as there were several more questionable decisions during that week’s Premier League fixtures. As is the norm. Let the fans of both sides have a moan, forget it and move on.

However deep within the corridors beneath Liverpool’s Main Stand a greater storm was brewing. Patrice Evra and his manager had visited the referee’s room to submit accusations of racism against Liverpool’s talisman Luis Suarez.

Evra had suffered a torrid match. He was constantly at the point of Liverpool’s attacks and frankly he coped poorly. In the second half, the two players clashed near the Kop by-line. Suarez tripped Evra, who rolled around in over-exaggerated agony. Of course he was in so much pain that he ensured that he rolled back onto the pitch so that he would interrupt the play. The Frenchman (note- not a racist comment) remonstrated with the referee and his assistant, obviously believing that he had been assaulted by Suarez rather than tripped.

Back to the after match summit in the ref’s room. Evra, backed up by Fergie, claimed that Luis Suarez had aimed racist abuse at him on ‘at least ten occasions’ during the game.

The matter became public, after Evra mentioned it in an interview with French TV station Canal Plus.

I would also hazard a guess that Manchester United’s staff have had a long hard look at all the television images, to no avail.

Let us note here that Evra did not make any protestation of racist remarks to referee Andre Mariner during the game. Surely the obvious course of action if you were ‘apoplectic with rage’ would be to alert the official, and ask him to keep an eye on things. Mariner did have a long chat with both players around Kop end penalty spot, but Evra chose not to mention any transgression. After the ref’s ‘chat’ Suarez tapped Evra on the back of the head in an apparent gesture of conciliation, only for the Frenchman (note- still not racism) to petulantly dismiss the gesture. Evra (apoplectic with rage) had also chosen to kiss his badge for the benefit of the Liverpool fans in the corner of the stadium whilst aiming kisses at them. Strange behaviour in the circumstances.

By the next morning, no footage had been unearthed. Twenty four hours later, still nothing. In fact, fifteen days on and there is still no incriminating evidence. However, Evra stands by his story and the FA are ‘investigating’. No official enquiry has been ordered, but still the matter rumbles on.



Alongside all this there has been a disturbing and continuing slurring of Suarez’ name and reputation.

In the days after the Liverpool – Manchester United meeting Sir Alex Ferguson chose his words carefully, as usual, when he stated that “it’s difficult for the referee with Suarez diving all over the place”.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

This is Alex Ferguson speaking, lest we forget. A manager who has overseen such blatant exponents of simulation (or diving) as Nani, Christiano Ronaldo and more recently Ashley Young.

In fact Mr Ferguson ( I refuse to recognise his official title) seems to have missed Young’s dive in the very match he used as his example. See http://i53.tinypic.com/wak9so.gif

However , I suspect that Ferguson was not interested in a balanced comparison. He was on a mission to discredit Liverpool’s best player. Ferguson knew that wherever he treads, his pandering legions in the media will follow.

And so it proved.

Without any justification, Luis Suarez overnight became a racist and the worst diver in English football.

The effects of the United chief’s comments can be seen almost daily. Liverpool’s next match after United was another home fixture against Norwich City. The referee Peter Walton enraged the Kop, as well as Suarez as he waved away ten apparent fouls on the Uruguayan. TEN times the Kop cried foul. TEN times the referee refused. Even when Mark Tierney felled Suarez when he was through on goal, the referee decided against a red card, or even a free kick, and merely turned away.

As the final whistle sounded, Luis Suarez left the pitch having not been awarded a single free-kick.

On to Stoke in the Carling Cup, which was to be a triumphant night for little Luis. Two goals, one of which will surely be in the mix for Goal of The Season, saw his team through the tie. Yet it was obvious that Ferguson’s plot was working as intended. The home supporters jeered Suarez.

In the first half of the Stoke tie, the mercurial Uruguayan waltzed past Jonathan Woodgate who had been shown a yellow card just moments earlier. That Woodgate clipped Luis was not in question, but instead of tumbling and winning a penalty and a certain red card for his opponent, the Liverpool striker stuttered but maintained his balance before dragging his shot wide. A chance had gone,and Stoke’s lead stayed intact as did their back four.

Now this sort of honesty would, you would think, earn universal praise. Not on this occasion. Not public enemy Luis Suarez. BBC TV’s commentator for the game, Guy Mowbray acknowledged that there had been a trip but chose to damn Suarez with faint praise.

“He is caught there and manages to keep his feet, which you have to say is most unlike Luis Suarez” he said, following up with “He might wish he hadn’t”

Even after the Uruguayan’s masterpiece goal which brought his team level, Mowbray had a dig. “You get two sides with Luis Suarez. That side is absolutely brilliant.” Another cheap shot.

Late in the match Crouch had legitimate claims for a penalty turned down. Seconds later Huth preposterously threw himself to the turf as the ball flashed around the box. Guess which incident was highlighted by the commentators.

As Liverpool’s players and staff recovered savoured the win at Stoke, still there was no word on the racism allegations which were festering quietly. Elsewhere another case of racism allegations raged, with video evidence, and the Football Association declared an official enquiry.

This forced Kenny Dalglish, who has more dignity and class than any so called knight of the realm, to urge the authorities to conclude the matter one way or another, declaring that the club is “totally and utterly” behind Luis Suarez. He has a point. No new evidence is going to emerge now. If there is sufficient evidence (any evidence) let’s get on with it. If not, let’s move on.

Yesterday, Liverpool had another vital match, this time at West Bromwich Albion. Nine minutes into the game Jerome Thomas clumsily tackled Suarez as he moved away from goal. Replays proved that the linesman was perfectly correct to intervene and alert the referee to the indiscretion. More fuel to the Suarez dive allegations. Hardly.
Look at the incident again. Suarez clashes with Thomas and immediately attempts to get back to his feet and chase the defender, before noticing the linesman flagging furiously. At no stage did Luis claim a penalty.

Later in the half Luis Suarez and Jerome Thomas clashed again, this time with the Albion man being on the receiving end. However it was clearly evident that the collision was caused by the Liverpool man slipping and falling into the West Brom defender. As the two players left the pitch at he interval, Suarez was clearly apologising and explaining, and Thomas seemed happy to accept. Did Luis get any credit form the match commentators for seeking out his opponent and apologising? Not likely.

There was another incident worthy of note. In the second period, Suarez again danced around defenders to the left of the Baggies’ six yard box, before losing the ball. Chris Waddle, co-commentating fro ESPN uttered the immortal phrase “Suarez thought about diving there”. Did he? Please, Chris Waddle, let us all into the secret of mind-reading. What you really mean Mr Waddle is “I would expect a notorious cheating Uruguayan to have gone down there”

Luis Suarez must be getting fed up of this smear campaign: as must the club, and his manager. I know I certainly am. Alex Ferguson knows what he has set in motion. As he sits back and enjoys his whisky tonight he probably looks back on a job well done.

Suarez is a talent. He is a threat to Manchester United, make no mistake. If his stint in England can be made unbearable, he will surely be tempted by offers from pastures new.

Today’s Sunday Mirror carried a story quoting Ferguson and his incredulity that racism is creeping back into the game. Did the paper accompany the article with a photo of the other player (captain of England) who is actively under an FA enquiry? No, of course they did not. They used a full page photo of Suarez aiming comments at Evra. When confronted, the Mirror justified this decision by saying that in the article Fergie talks about that incident, so it was right to use that picture. For the record, nowhere in the respective article does Ferguson mention Luis Suarez by name.

May I also remind Ferguson and the FA, of the remarks credited to the Manchester United boss on 22 October ... "The FA interviewed Patrice yesterday and have sent us a directive today saying not to discuss it while the investigation is going on," continuing with "I have got plenty to say on the subject, but I suppose I will have to adhere to what they are saying. I would like to say something about Pat in this particular instance, but let them get on with their investigation."

In Ferguson’s world, he interprets supplying the Sunday Mirror with a double page interview as complying with the FA’s directive.

Ferguson is a law unto himself. This has been proved over many years. He is a clever man. He does not let things slip out, carelessly. His attack on Luis Suarez on two fronts is calculated to damage both Suarez and his employers. He appears to have managed to get some referees and media folk on board already.

I expect Liverpool Football Club to launch a counter offensive in support of their player. They must take the Sunday Mirror to task. The manager and his team-mates will surely use every opportunity to get behind the new darling of the Kop. Ferguson and his cronies may think they have devised a master plan which will ultimately force Luis Suarez to become so disenchanted that he will decide that he would be better off elsewhere.

Sorry chaps. Liverpool FC and it’s army of fans like nothing better than looking after our own. Luis is our hero. He is loved by us. Whatever tripe you throw at him, will strengthen the bond between LFC and Luis Suarez.

Luis Suarez will never walk alone.

[G]

Where's that from?

[Fivex]

Very good article, shame it won't get the exposure it deserves (wherever it's come from).

[Exiled_red]

Very good article, where is it from and who wrote it?

[Norbs]

If a manager says the ref had a crap game he gets charged.

I assume calling a fellow pro a cheat is enough fo Scharner to get the same treatment?

What a ****house Scharner is. 1500 penalties in every match... It's blatantly clear that he's fond of exaggerating

[Fivex]

Very good article, where is it from and who wrote it?

http://thekop.liverpoolfc.tv/_Luis-Suarez-Victim-of-Smear/blog/5412899/173471.html

[Norbs]

Very good article, shame it won't get the exposure it deserves (wherever it's come from).

Very good article, where is it from and who wrote it?

It's a good article but is so biased towards us that it losses weight, IMO. Referring to 'little Luis' etc. doesn't help

[Exiled_red]

http://thekop.liverpoolfc.tv/_Luis-S...99/173471.html

Thanks

[Exiled_red]

It's a good article but is so biased towards us that it losses weight, IMO. Referring to 'little Luis' etc. doesn't help

Obviously it is biased towards us but I've read more biased articles from supposedly more 'neutral' sources.

[James P]

Suarez is now paying for the reputation he acquired himself.

I posted a couple of weeks ago in the other thread that this was going to happen. He did nothing wrong against WBA, but he has thrown the odd exaggerated fall since he's been here, and it's starting to count against him. Once a reputation like this has been acquired, it's incredibly hard to get rid of it.

He needs to do a Klinsmann. It's a similar situation - supremely talented player with a terrible reputation for play-acting. Klinsmann nailed it by making it into a joke.

Go to 2.05 for that great celebration:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaj7fPcKSxI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaj7fPcKSxI[/ame]

[PTP]

- good point, i agree re klinsmann - it could well work in suarez's favour

[Norbs]

Obviously it is biased towards us but I've read more biased articles from supposedly more 'neutral' sources.

I guess you mean biased against us, and I agree. It's good to see some balance being restored and thought the article hits many nails on many heads, I just wished the author held back on some of the loving

[Norbs]

- good point, i agree re klinsmann - it could well work in suarez's favour

I'm not so sure mate, Klinsmann was a darling of the press and spoke really good English. I think Suarez diving would be loved by us but would rile fans/journos alike even more. Not that we should care obviously.

[James P]

I'm not so sure mate, Klinsmann was a darling of the press and spoke really good English.

Yes, he spoke excellent English, but he was a million miles from being a darling of the British press. Not only was did he have a reputation as a diver, but we still hated him for the 1990 World Cup semi. In fact, there was a journo in the Guardian (can't remember his name) who wrote an article about why he hated Klinsmann when he first arrived in England, and a few months later wrote another about why he loved him.

Suarez has the potential to be an absolute legend - at the moment in the PL there's him, Silva and Van Persie who are playing at a level above everyone else. The other two are hugely popular, even with other clubs' fans, because they generally play the game in a positive fashion, and marry huge skill with enthusiasm and professionalism. Luis needs to move in that direction too.