Evra’s less than wholehearted, attempted handshake (no eye contact, a barely raised arm) was not entertained by Luis Suarez this weekend. It was also telling in the overriding question of who was right or wrong that Evra was willing to shake hands and Suarez was not. From the Uruguayan’s point of view here was a fellow professional he had (naturally) jarred through the coarse of a game that had got him an eight game ban, even though he conceded that Suarez was not a racist. (He is in a mixed race marriage after all.)
Most will argue that Suarez espoused a lack of humility not befitting of Liverpool Football Club but had Evra not drew the extra attention to the incident by grabbing Suarez by the arm it would have passed with much less media furor. This latest handshakegate episode (unusually not involving John Terry) has certainly proven to be the most incendiary of them all.
It is also contrary to the spirit of the club of course that Suarez would go against his manager’s wishes, having apparently agreed with Dalglish beforehand that he would shake Evra’s hand. Dalglish didn’t cover himself in glory either in his post match interview with Sky, and frankly his spiky interviews have long since tested the patience of the interested football fan. His media relations are almost reactionary to the unnecessary noise being made back in Benitez’s tenure, by the likes of Babel and Riera. He needs to be more forthcoming, look at the response he elicited from his players after his honest criticism of the teams performance against Bolton a few weeks ago.
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It is dubious that the manager missed the incident altogether, and as always was the ying to Ferguson’s equally arrogant yang. Ferguson would no doubt relish his opposite number parting with one of the leagues most talented and dangerous players and has delusions of grandeur if he believes he can have an influence of Suarez’s future.
It’s important not to forget that Evra can be every bit as fiery and twisted as El Pistolero, as an Irishman his remarks on the travesty in the Stade de France live long in the memory; ‘the only reply Ireland will get will be on the playstation,’ and we shouldn’t be taken in by the sophistry of the media in their painting of Suarez either.
The apologies have since been issued and ideally Suarez will be sentenced to time served.
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@NeilClerkin
neil clerkin and the wandering ballsack escapade
Perfect analysis. It was blown way out of proportion by the media.What ensues is all natural partof Fergie’s “knocking of the perch” philosophy.A philosophy he hold all his life. Evra’s conniving nature lends itself to the philosophy really well. They are really trying to pressure Fenway to sell Suarez because they fear him. He nutmegged their whole defence at Old Trafford last year.