LUIS Suarez has talked of the political power wielded by bitter rivals Manchester United, and the effects it has on the game in England, and the country’s media.
Speaking to RR Gol, the TV show screened on VTV (a Uruguayan sports channel), the Liverpool striker discussed how the Patrice Evra affair effected his personal life, and the support given to him by the club; reserving special praise for Reds captain Steven Gerrard.
“It was so hard what happened to me. I don’t show my emotions on the field, but outside I do – and I cried a lot with all the Evra stuff,” Suarez explained.
“The trial (disciplinary hearing) week was so complicated for me. My wife and I cried a lot during that week.”
The interviewer then pointed to claims United had used their political power to influence how the race row was perceived, then manipulated by the British media, to which Suarez answered:
“People at the club are sure that it was a way that Manchester United used to put me out of the team and stop Liverpool.
“But in England, Man United has this political power, and you have to respect that and shut your mouth.”
Specifically, on the ‘non-handshake’ event at Old Trafford, Liverpool’s number 7 added:
“It was a misunderstanding, what happened between me and Evra at Old Trafford when we were to shake hands. In fact, I think it was all arranged against me again, as it had happened with the punishment.
“I promised my wife, the manager and the directors that I was going to shake my hand with Evra. ‘Why not?’, I thought, because I had no problems with him.
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“I had been punished because of him, but I had no problems with shaking hands. But I was not forced to greet him. I had no problems with Evra. It was only a handshake and I was OK with that.
“The media in England showed the moment when I passed in front of him, but they didn’t see that he had his hand low before. Only the media in Uruguay and Spain showed that I wanted to shake his hand.”
Suarez then spoke on the huge support he received from within the club, in particular from Steven Gerrard whom he described as a remarkably “low profile” and “humble” man, for all his standing in the world game. He recounted Gerrard’s advice to him before the Old Trafford match, and said he will never forget those words:
“You are one of the best in the world, go out there and show it, and do not think about the other things.”
Although speaking honestly, the timing of those comments have been seen by many as poorly judged, with Suarez due to lead Uruguay out at Old Trafford in the Olympic Games next week.
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He has a point, most will agree.
But, perhaps best just to leave it in the past considering Suarez and LFC came out of the situation looking pretty bad.
I’d rather he get a 5 match ban for breaking Evra’s leg next season…or even better if someone like Spearing can come on in the last minute and do it for him…lol.
Revenge is a dish best served cold…..
well dons luis .its about time you spoke out about this and we got your side of the story …..what the media did to you in england was a disgrace and the fact the patrice evra s brother died the week before surely had a influence on the incident in question …i can never understand how john terry stood trial and how you got treated differently…patrice evra and rio ferdinand should be ashamed of themselves and there manager ,we are all behind you luis and believe in you so just continue playing like you did last season
God forbid the FA should take any punitive action against a white man. In fact they’ll probably reinstate him as England captain, or perhaps an an honorary position at the FA? I couldn’t think of someone who better embodies the organisation: a racist, a thug, an adulterer, but most importantly… a white man.
The beautiful game is no longer beautiful. It has been poluted from the top down by corruption, greed, filth and a complete and total lack of respect. More good comes out of war than football…FACT
I believe Terry admitted using the racial slur with the excuse that he was simply repeating something said on the field, FA can schedule his 8 game ban at the beginning of the season. Suarez was asked a question by the reporter, he answered it. What LFC fans really want to see is Suarez torching Evra and ManU, the way he was that fateful day, this season.
Modifying the comments to fit in with pro-Suarez stance. Author should be ashamed.
Duncan, are you part of the said-British media? 😉
No comments have been modified, unless you are talking about Suarez himself who made those exact comments – also verified by the Liverpool Echo. Check your sources, if you have any, and post to fit your anti-Suarez stance.
duncan is right, the comments are been modified to an extent, if not where is my previous comments.
He was referring to the player comments, not the site comments. Your previous comments were removed because of the language contained, not to mention the infantile nature.
is nt it so typical of sir alex to get his opinion in on luis suarez and kenny dalglish i wish he would just look after manchester utd and leave us alone because this season he will need all the help he can get with utd seen as there so rich and on the stock exchange that they cant buy without selling and all that they have bought so far but still have nt replaced there midfield problem yet …..best of luck …ynwa …oh and duncan get your facts right please when you decide to mak comments here without facts !!