Over the past weeks I’ve read and heard a lot from the “holier-than-thou” London-centric media about how Liverpool have set a bad example supporting Suarez and for wearing “those t-shirts” during the warm-up prior to the Wigan game. How Dalglish and Liverpool should have simply (read meekly) accepted the decision of the FA’s independent commission (they hadn’t got the guts to make a decision on their own), apologize and move on. That Liverpool should have taught Suarez, and all overseas players, about what and what is not acceptable to say to another player in the heat-of-the moment and so and and so forth.
What utter “let’s print this crap so we can sell more newspapers” journalism this truly is. Are we supposed to respect this kind of preaching from those who a few months ago were happily tapping some innocents mobile? I didn’t think so.
What the football media have totally underestimated is just how strong the Liverpool family really is and always will be. When injustice is served up cold, as Liverpool have had to endure again and again over the decades, it unites Liverpool supporters and the team even more strongly. When Liverpool came running onto the field wearing Suarez shirts I couldn’t have been prouder of my team and of Kenny for making a stand against the flawed justice they had been handed down to Suarez.
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What the band-wagon media failed to recognize, or acknowledge, was that Liverpool and their fans are totally against racism. Always have been, always will be. Liverpool is a multi-cultural, multi-racial club and proud of it. Just ask the likes of John Barnes who has stated that the FA are guilty of crucifying Suarez.
To say I love Liverpool is an understatement, however, that doesn’t mean I blindly support or condone anything a player may do that is out-of-order i.e. if Downing did indeed hit his ex-girlfriend then he needs to get what’s coming to him, both personally and professionally.
So Liverpool have taken the high-road and decided to accept the decision of the FA’s independent commission. I’m disappointed but respect it but let’s be clear, Liverpool are not the London media’s, or the FA’s, favourite football team and never will be. The media never questioned the hypocrisy of the FA fighting UEFA to reduce Rooney’s violent conduct 3-match ban versus Liverpool’s right to question Suarez’s 8-match ban. And if Terry is found guilty of racism will we see the same level of justice meted out? Don’t hold your breath.
Barry also writes his own blog www.liverpoolfc-talk.com
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Here is an article that everyone should read:
http://newsframes.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/media-on-racism-churnalism/
News Frames article is the only balanced perspective I have seen so far – this needs to be more widely broadcast – thanks for sharing it.
Well said, i agree, they do not care who they hurt as long as they sell papers. BUT we will always stick together when we are being crucified for the wrong reasons.
well in
100% agree. This whole thing stinks of a media witch hunt and FA bias.
The animosity this has now produced against those liars in Manchester and their puppet press journo’s I have never seen the like
What is their problem? Always LFC they want to crucify. But united we stand against the liars. YNWA
Coloccini escaped scott free with a blatant elbow into Bellamy’s face. Media coverage – NIL! If the reverse had happened or heaven forbid Suarez had done it the FA letter would letter would have been in the post before the game had ended.
We would still be seeing playbacks on Sky Sports News and the press would be hammering us. And the queue of ex-pros lining up to condemn and demand action would be bigger than Fergie’s collection of empty red wine bottles.
Can’t Suarez sue all of these ‘news’ outlets for defamation? They are all condemning him as a racist although the kangaroo court went out of their way (to protect themselves) to say he wasn’t a racist!