Tonight’s game has been fuelled by a refreshingly honest Roberto Mancini coming out and saying exactly what everyone else in the world of football is thinking. Although managers usually refrain from commenting on issues outside of their own club, the Italian may have realised that everyone outside of Liverpool Football Club would be in support of his statements. The comments come following the ongoing, ugly issue of racism surrounding the red side of Merseyside.
It stems back to Liverpool’s heated contest against Manchester United back in October during which Luis Suarez repeatedly called Patrice Evra a ‘Negrito’ a term more widely acknowledged in the UK as ‘Negro’. Suarez was handed an 8-match-ban on the back of an investigation where a staggering 115 page document has been published by the FA, containing the details of the case as well as the reasons for his sanction. In the aftermath of the situation, Liverpool players controversially wore Suarez t-shirts to warm up for the Wigan game which sparked many to question the club’s stance on racism in the game.
Speaking to the Guardian ahead of their Carling Cup semi-final clash, the Manchester City manager said,
It stems back to Liverpool’s heated contest against Manchester United back in October during which Luis Suarez repeatedly called Patrice Evra a ‘Negrito’ a term more widely acknowledged in the UK as ‘Negro’. Suarez was handed an 8-match-ban on the back of an investigation where a staggering 115 page document has been published by the FA, containing the details of the case as well as the reasons for his sanction. In the aftermath of the situation, Liverpool players controversially wore Suarez t-shirts to warm up for the Wigan game which sparked many to question the club’s stance on racism in the game.
Speaking to the Guardian ahead of their Carling Cup semi-final clash, the Manchester City manager said,
"Sometimes a situation like this can happen on the pitch but it is important to apologise for what you did. Sometimes, on the pitch, you can do something you don't want to, because you are nervous, because you don't think. Everything can happen because you don't think, because you are tired, because you are stupid, you are young; for many reasons.
"I don't think Suárez is a racist. But I think he made a mistake, probably, yes. Everyone can make a mistake sometimes. It is impossible that we are always perfect and, after that, it is important to say: 'I am sorry, I made a mistake, I apologise for this' and accept the charge."
The Uruguayan has issued a form of apology, but if anything, the half-hearted comments only add to the ongoing tarnishing of Liverpool Football Club. The story was revealed in The Sun as Suarez spoke publicly for the first time since his ban,
"I admitted to the commission I used a word in Spanish once, and only once, and told the panel members I will not use it again on a football pitch in England.
"I never, ever used this word in a derogatory way and if it offends anyone then I want to apologise for that."
Kenny Dalglish’s role in the whole debacle has been intriguing if not blunderbuss. The staunch defence of his striker has many football followers seeing the Scot in a different light. King Kenny has always had a spiky relationship with journalists and the media and his confrontational mannerisms at press conferences and in interviews is what makes him the character he is in world sport. However, in a case where his player is so blatantly in the wrong, his stance is peculiar. Obviously, a manager and a football club are going to back their player to the moon and back, but his and the club’s continuous public defence of Suarez has become nothing short of farcical.
With the flames of this issue still very much alight in the views of spectators, Friday night’s clash with Oldham threw a metaphoric oil tanker to those flames. Late on in the game, Oldham’s Tom Adeyemi fetched the ball from the advertising boards at the famous Kop end at Anfield. As he was returning to his position, something clearly distressed the young midfielder and his rage was clear for everyone to see. Adeyemi appeared in tears as he pleaded to the referee to do something about the situation. The message was relayed from the field of play to the pitch-side 4th official who notified Merseyside Police of an alleged case of racial abuse. In fairness to the Liverpool players, especially captain Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt, they were quick to console the young player who was in a clear state of delirium on the field. It marred a fabulous cup tie that the Premier League team prospered 5-1, although the score-line doesn’t reflect the competitive nature of the contest.
Oldham have since publicly praised Liverpool FC stating that,
"Excellent communication has been maintained and the club and player have been notified of every detail during the progress of the investigation.”
Nevertheless, the issue is still circling Anfield like a kettle of vultures. Despite the two incidents being completely isolated, the way in which both Suarez and Liverpool Football Club have commented on the first incident is still raising eyebrows. Both statements can be found in full at:
In summary, Suarez thanks everyone for their support and explains that the word ‘negro’ is commonplace in Uruguay therefore everything in the enquiry is completely false. He also states,
"I will carry out the suspension with the resignation of someone who hasn't done anything wrong and who feels extremely upset by the events.”
There isn’t a single mention of Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, who was subject to his abuse, which despite the inter-club rivalry, does seem a bit ‘off’. The statement from the club itself is even less tasteful, essentially claiming that, in spite of the 115 page document and the fact that the player admits using racially abusive language, Suarez had done nothing wrong and that Evra was to blame for the incident,
“Liverpool Football Club has supported Luis Suarez because we fundamentally do not believe that Luis on that day - or frankly any other - did or would engage in a racist act.”
The way in which they’ve dragged their heels on the matter has meant it’s remained in the public domain as a talking point. Had the club come out with the following statement, it’s safe to assume that no-one would be discussing it,
“In light of recent events, Liverpool FC would like to offer its most sincere apologies to Patrice Evra, Manchester United and anybody else affected by the events on the 15th of October. It’s understood that Luis Suarez used racial terms of an offensive nature directed towards Patrice Evra which is something we at Anfield are committed to kick out of the game. Luis Suarez is neither a racist nor a foul man; he’s simply a victim of his and our ignorance.
"In his native Uruguay, the term he used is commonplace and means no harm or offence when directed at an individual. However, we understand it’s our responsibility to educate our players of the cultural differences between playing in Britain and playing elsewhere. You can be assured that such a matter will not repeat itself and the player is remorseful that his actions have caused such distress.
"To reiterate, Liverpool FC is fully dedicated to ridding football of racism and we hope this isolated misunderstanding won’t tarnish our reputation within the game. Once again we can only apologise to those who have been offended by the events and guarantee that it won’t recur.”
But, they did not and they’ve acted like intolerant school children. They’re a club that have one of the finest histories and traditions in the game and it’d be a great shame if this chapter should tarnish that. Suarez has been a revelation in the Premier League and his reputation hangs in the balance while his ban is served. As if by magic, Liverpool have drawn Manchester United in the 4th round of the FA cup in what’s sure to be a spicy affair. In the meantime it’s up to those at Anfield to attempt to regain the respect of the football world, something easier said than done.
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