The day began with the Greater Manchester Police confiscating copies of Red Issue outside Old Trafford, and ended with Sir Alex Ferguson finally coming out fighting on the issue of racism. In between Patrice Evra wildly celebrated a Manchester United victory in front of the Stretford End, while Luis Suárez and Kenny Dalglish brought further embarrassment to their club. Just your average United versus Liverpool clash, then.
Barely two weeks on from the disgraceful scenes at Anfield, where 40,000 Liverpudlians sought to set race relations back a generation by victimising Patrice Evra, United exacted a modicum of revenge in Manchester. United won comfortably enough, but there was far more to this occasion than the odd goal in three. Set in the context of Suárez culpability over racially abusing Evra last October, the clash sparked into life before a ball had even been kicked when the Uruguayan refused the United captain’s pre-match handshake. The striker’s snub ensured a testy encounter, with players on both sides confronting each other in the tunnel at half-time, and then again at the final whistle.
But tensions were raised long before the players entered the field, with the GMP confiscating copies of Red Issue, t-shirts mocking Suárez, and arresting supporters selling the fanzine pre-match. The crime? Including a satirical, albeit tasteless, picture of a Klu Klux Klan hood on the back cover, with the words “Suarez is innocent” emboldened in red. So much for freedom of speech, then.
GMP accused the long-running fanzine of ‘inciting racial hatred’ in what is surely a massive over-reaction against an image that sought to mock Liverpool’s lack of action over racism. Inside the stadium fans reported that both fanzines and t-shirts were confiscated by stewards, although when contacted by Rant, the club insisted that it had not asked the police to seize the fanzines.
“Officers are now seizing the fanzines and in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service we will take appropriate action against anyone either found selling this particular fanzine or provocatively displaying the image in public,” said Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts.
“I have taken this cause of action as both items are potentially offensive and we cannot be in a situation where hundreds or thousands of people were displaying offensive images at a football match. The consequences of taking no action could have resulted in public order incidents inside or outside the ground.”
Sadly police took no action against the deeply offensive image of Suárez lauding it inside Old Trafford, or for that matter, broadcast to millions via television.
Tensions were further increased before kick off when Liverpool’s star striker refused to shake Evra’s hand, resulting in an frustrated reaction from the Frenchman, and a counter snub from Rio Ferdinand. Suárez’ refusal came after Liverpool manager Dalglish had promised, on Thursday, that the matter was now behind his errant player and a handshake would take place.
Indeed, the Uruguayan’s deliberate provocation almost brought dividends for the visitors, with Evra flying into a tackle with the striker barely 30 seconds into the game. Referee Dowd was saved a difficult decision when the Frenchman flipped Ferdinand on his heading, missing Suárez in the process. Had the striker’s pre-match snub been as apparent to fans inside the stadium, as it was to those watching on TV, anger may well have spilled over from the pitch and into the stands.
To those watching the Uruguayan’s actions were little more than a premeditated act of insensitivity – another in a long line of indelibly offensive behaviour by the striker. It is also likely to backfire; an act so immature that even Dalglish’s one-eye defiance can hold no water. One wonders what Liverpool owner John Henry, still silent after all these months, must be thinking over in Boston.
“I could not believe it, I just could not believe it,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.
“We had a chat this morning and Patrice said: ‘I’m going to shake his hand, I have nothing to be ashamed of, I’m going to keep my dignity.’ And he [Suárez] refuses. He’s a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club, that certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again.
“The history that club’s got and he does that and in a situation like today could have caused a riot. I was really disappointed in that guy, it was terrible what he did. It created a tension, you’ve seen the referee didn’t know what to do about it. It was a terrible start to the game, a terrible atmosphere it created.
“We’ve got to get our house in order in terms of fighting racism. It’s an important issue in this country. Football’s come a long way from the days of John Barnes when they were throwing bananas at him to where we are today. We can’t go back. We have to go forward in a positive way and ban it altogether.”
By half-time opposing players were at each others’ throats as Evra sought to confront Suárez, and those on both sides engaged in what Sky Sports euphemistically called “shenanigans” – it could have been a lot more serious than a few minutes of pushing in the Old Trafford tunnel.
Meanwhile, in the studio Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher clashed with Jamie Redknapp. The former Liverpool player placed blame for the incident on the Football Association’s insistence that the normal pre-match routine take place, while Neville called the striker’s snub “embarrassing”.
Then came the moment United fans hoped for as Wayne Rooney scored twice within five minutes of the re-start to put the Reds in control and top of the Premier League table. With no little drama Suárez bundled in a goal for the visitors, but anything less than victory would have been an injustice for the hosts in a match that United thoroughly dominated.
Once again football seemed the back-drop to a bigger story though. Evra’s joyous victory celebration in front of the Stretford End was just yards from Suárez as the Uruguayan trudged off the pitch, head hung low. Pepe Reina and Martin Skrtel were only prevented from confronting the United captain by the rapid intervention of referee Dowd.
Over to Kenny for an apology? Not likely, as Dalglish once again failed to confront the issue of racism, instead blaming the media for increasing the tension surrounding the match. Laughably, the Liverpool manager also pretended that he was unaware of Suárez’ non-handshake. It is, seemingly, never Liverpool’s fault.
“I never knew he never shook his hand,” claimed the increasingly befuddled Dalglish.
“I’ll take your word for it. But I don’t know. I wasn’t there. I never saw it. That is contrary to what I was told. I think you are very severe and are bang out of order to blame Luis Suárez for anything that happened here today. You know something else, when we had the FA Cup tie, because there wasn’t a 24-hour news channel in the build-up to the game, nothing like this happened.”
The striker continued in a similar vein, taking to Twitter to claim that “everything is not as it seems.” Noises coming from the Liverpool dressing room, leaked via the media, suggested that Suárez had not rejected Evra’s hand, but that the Frenchman had withdrawn the offer. There has been a long-line of ludicrous statements emanating from Anfield since October, but this one surely tops them all. It is not, seemingly, ever Liverpool’s fault.
Meanwhile, at GMP headquarters the police continue to hold more than 1,600 copies of Red Issue as “evidence” of a potential offence under the Race Act. It was a day in which football leapt from myopic denial, to the police state, all in one short afternoon.
Red Issue back page, via @andersred
Suárez and police fail to ruin Evra’s day
(69 posts) (17 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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shauno
Member
Posted by unregistered user: shaunoI’m a bit baffled by the GMP position. I’m happy to be challenged and convinced otherwise but the Red Issue cut out mask is broadly challenging racism (although crudely doing so) yet not inciting racial hatred? I’m not a lawyer and maybe the interpretation of the law is yet to be contested in such an instance. But that said it seems like a challenge to racism in the same way that the UAF may challenge such a group in opposition.
With all that said and with a tip of the hat to Ed’s post the following blog pretty much sums it up to the point of ending the discussion.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/feb/11/liverpool-kenny-dalglish-luis-suarez
Liverpool FC have had a significant impact on Liverpool as a city and it’s going to take a long time to straighten this out. Liverpool – European Capital of Culture 2008…Really?
Posted 1 year ago # -
shauno
Member Posted by unregistered user: shaunoThe most interesting paragraph from the blog is this:
“He had been wrong [Evra], as well, to hunt out Suárez at half-time but, for those of us in the press box, the abiding memory of that point was the clutch of former Liverpool players stood around, shaking their heads and concluding with a mixture of embarrassment and horror that Dalglish would have to remove Suárez.”
Posted 1 year ago # -
yuva seegoolam
Member Posted by unregistered user: yuva seegoolamYou are absolutely right only you should have said Liverpool Police and it that reaction to the fanzine was overreaction then the evra’s celebration is surely a very natural under reaction. amazing evra so many years in EPL but never showed that way of celebrating , simply provocative but he is a saint soul or perhaps a new way of fighting racism..
Posted 1 year ago # -
Joe – moral equivalence: the practice of pointing to anything, however irrelevant, to disguise your side’s wrongdoing. ‘Don’t talk about Suarez, look at all the terrible things you’ve done….’ It’s never Liverpool’s fault is it? Always somebody else to blame. Your decaying club. Somebody else. Crime and a generation on the dole. Not your fault. Your moral failure. Somebody else. Racist bastard players. All Evra’s fault. It’s a smokescreen that fools nobody. What has anything you mentioned got to do with human stain that is Luis Suarez? Nothing, but let’s just carry on with the blame game anyway…
Editor & Moderator at http://www.unitedrant.co.ukPosted 1 year ago # -
kramer
Member
eh, football wise, 7 points from games against arsenal, chelsea and liverpool is fantastic. very happy with this, now need to get cleverley and hopefully nani back and start racking up the goals.
don't really care about the europa league, would be glad to see keane, pogba etc.
Posted 1 year ago # -
browny – I’m assuming that your IQ is around the same as your shoe size. So I’ll speak s l o w l y. It’s nothing to do with Liverpool – it’s about the police confiscating a piece of satire. You can look the last word up in a dictionary. You know, that big book with lots of words…
Posted 1 year ago # -
shauno
Member Posted by unregistered user: shaunoI’m misunderstanding your misunderstanding about Red Issue? Red Issue are confronting Liverpool Fc fans with the racist nature of their stance on the Evra/Suarez case. They didn’t do it to get Liverpool FC in trouble. That’s quite clear as no avenue is available to get LFC in trouble. It’s a dig, but one based on a reasonable platform given the reluctance of LFC to accept any wrong doing.
Sunday papers will be interesting. Whats Alan Greens take on all this?
Posted 1 year ago # -
sidney
Member
Commenter said:
I’m misunderstanding your misunderstanding about Red Issue? Red Issue are confronting Liverpool Fc fans with the racist nature of their stance on the Evra/Suarez case. They didn’t do it to get Liverpool FC in trouble. That’s quite clear as no avenue is available to get LFC in trouble. It’s a dig, but one based on a reasonable platform given the reluctance of LFC to accept any wrong doing.The police don't do satire or irony
Private Eye have done a similar KKK piss take regarding Terry
Posted 1 year ago # -
Miguel
Member Posted by unregistered user: MiguelSuarez admitted that he called Evra “Negrito”, but said that in his country it is not seen as racist. So he called him that in a friendly way… Yah Right! It was intended to hurt and through Evra off, no other reason. What I don’t get is how all the Liverpool fans have been taken in by the club and KKKenny so easily. Must be because of the low IQ’s.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
Commenter said:
If I was a football player and if someone made a false claim of racism and then drags my name through the mud,forcing me to get banned from my profession,I wouldn’t shake the twats hand either.Why don't you fuck off?
Your opinion is just stubborn ignorance, and enough people here have wasted enough time pointing that out... so why do you keep coming back for more?
"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching' tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."Posted 1 year ago # -
Dinkinflicker
Member
Commenter said:
If I was a football player and if someone made a false claim of racism and then drags my name through the mud,forcing me to get banned from my profession,I wouldn’t shake the twats hand either.Aye, as usual everyone's out to get Suarez. I mean, look at his previous 'scandals'
In the first instance it's clear that he's sneezing. The lad on the other team sees a malicious opportunity to stand still and let his neck take the brunt of Suarez's forward momentum. And what happens? The Dutch FA take the easy route of banning a player just because they believe he may end up playing for Liverpool one day, whereas the real perpetrator gets away scot free. It's a disgrace. Same thing with the 'handball'. What the rest of the world don't understand, because of their ignorance, is that in the context of Uruguayian culture a rule of 'goalie when needed' is applied during football games. This allows any player operating on or near the goal line to assume the status of goalkeeper. And yet he's made out to be some sort of cheat?!
It's not on. When will you scousers realise that there is a clear agenda both within the media, the FA and the footballing public In general to persecute you for any and every action? You need to unite and fight as one voice in your moment of darkness. A crusade for justice - that's what you need.
Posted 1 year ago # -
redheat
Member Posted by unregistered user: redheatGreat article here Ed, I’m glad you point out the issues with the police getting involved and undermining free speech, but i can understand why they did it… no-one with any decency wants to see someone wearing a KKK mask, even in jest. Mind you the t-shirts I heard about with ‘klanfield’ on them, very witty.
In fact in all your articles and posts on this you’ve given a very balanced evidence based assessment of the case. To me this incident just shows how fucking dumb some people (yes i’m talking about you kenny ‘I cant find my’ dogleash) really are.
I mean what a complete fucking retarded twat. trying to defend the indefensible, and with a poker face to boot, he actually believes he’s right. Maybe he’s getting some kind of brain atrophy in his old age, that affects his reasoning and ability to function as a human being. I mean how else can you explain his stupidity. I’m actually disgusted and ashamed that this man is given a platform to express his opinions. And he’s a fucking shit manager too.
He could have come out and put this to bed months ago. Accepted the decision and made his player issue an apology. Case closed. What he’s done is like a fucking despicable venomous snake. He’s allowed tribal hatred to get in the way of rational human thought. Personally I think it’s a reflection of our society that he’s still in a job.
Also I know I shouldn’t say it because i don’t know him but doesn’t Gerrard always look so fucking miserable and angry. His face is like his dad just died. Certainly not someone who you’d say was a jolly person. Maybe it’s because he’s a repressed homosexual, who knows, but that could explain him. I just hope the fucker doesn’t get anywhere near the England team, let’s pray he’s injured. I don’t care if he’s a world class player, there’s something wrong with people who don’t know how to smile… and get violent because a DJ won’t play YMCA…
This whole thing is a joke and it makes me proud to be a united fan. I know in my heart, god bless him, our manager would never have gone down this path, and united is, despite its globalisation and big finance, a club that still has a moral soul, and that’s a force for good.
Posted 1 year ago # -
ScottC
Member Posted by unregistered user: ScottCAshish he was found guilty of racial abuse fist of all which he didn’t appeal. So where is the false accusation? Suarez even testified himself that he had said it and if you take his comments to the Uruguayan press just after the incident there really is no argument.
Posted 1 year ago # -
sheesh
Member
Alfonso Bedoya said:
Why don't you fuck off?Your opinion is just stubborn ignorance, and enough people here have wasted enough time pointing that out... so why do you keep coming back for more?
For some reason, Alf, this tosser keeps coming back like a bad smell, ignoring everyone's responses on the old Suarez threads and repeating his same tired old nonsense on a new Suarez thread.
I think this apologist is just a bit thick. Plain and simple.
Posted 1 year ago # -
DeadRevel
Member Posted by unregistered user: DeadRevel“Sadly police took no action against the deeply offensive image of Suárez lauding it inside Old Trafford, or for that matter, broadcast to millions via television.”
Superbly put. Something every pundit, especially ex-Liverpool players have conveniently ignored, while slamming Evra for celebrating the duel victory against racists and rivals at the end. The least he deserved. One of them actually said he did it in front of the Liverpool fans… just incredible.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Dinkinflicker
Member One thing that hasn't been picked up on in any detail is the fact the Suarez twatted the ball into the crowd at half time. I may be wrong, but I think that's a sending off offence. I'm sure I remember gary Neville being sent off for that very thing a few years ago,
Posted 1 year ago # -
sidney
Member Collymore is class on Twitter
StanCollymore
There are more high profile former Liverpool players in the media than most clubs. So the notion of an anti Liverpool bias is absurd.StanCollymore
I know plenty of REAL #lfc fans who are appalled at the message that's been sent since the t-shirts. They are scared to say anything thoughStanCollymore
In my opinion,if this were any other manager other than Kenny,lots more #lfc fans would have questioned the club stance.StanCollymore Stan Collymore
Every club has a minority,lets not pretend otherwise. But when a club sends a blurred message,the number grows,thinking its "support".Linekar is taking a break from Twitter
GaryLineker
I'm disappearing from twitter for a while. Need a break from the bile. Local prejudice just seems to bring out the worst in some people.Posted 1 year ago # -
sidney
Member Suarez apologises http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/luis-suarez-i-m-sorry
Liverpool admit he was wrong http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/ian-ayre-luis-was-wrong
Booyah. There was this myth going round that Evra didn't offer out his hand for Suarez to shake, and it was 'supported' by a heavily edited couple of stills which show Evra's hand close to his body - like that proved anything
But anybody watching MOTD last night will have seen the handshake from 2 different angles, and you clearly saw Evra put his hand out and Suarez ignore it
What's shit though is that they'll bollock him over this because he has defied the leader of the cult; Dalglish. But they won't bollock him for using racially abusive language. But then I suppose this is the best we'll get from these cunts.
Posted 1 year ago # -
sidney
Member Dalglish's apology http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kd-we-all-have-a-responsibility-1
"When I went on TV after yesterday's game I hadn't seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I'd like to apologise for that."
So he apologises for being a cunt in a TV interview but not for taking a bullshit stance on racism
Posted 1 year ago #
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