McGrath criticised Liverpool players and staff for wearing t-shirts in support of the Uruguayan who was later found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
‘If I was in Glen Johnson’s position, I would have thrown the shirt to the floor,’ said McGrath at the time. Johnson, however, insists he’s ‘his own man’ and McGrath was wrong to critisise his actions.
“The McGrath thing … that’s actually racist,” said Johnson. “Saying what he said is racist. He is only saying that to me because I was the only black lad wearing the T-shirt. He’s targeting me because of my colour.
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Paul McGrath and Salvatore Schillaci in Rome in 1990. INPHO/Billy Stickland
‘Listen, I’m my own man. If I have something I want to say or do then I will do it. The reason I wore the T-shirt is because I know 100% Luis Suarez is not racist. He is one of the lads in the team that I get on with best of all at the club,” he told Ian Ladyman.
The former Manchester United and Aston Villa took to Twitter earlier however in reaction. “It saddens me that Glen Johnson has called me a racist, but he is entitled to his opinion,” he wrote.
Handshake
Johnson also said he believes Patrice Evra had no intentions of shaking Luis Suarez’s hand when the sides met last month.
Suarez – who was banned for eight games after being found guilty of racially abusing the United left-back in the reverse fixture at Anfield earlier this season – refused to shake Evra’s hand before the clash at Old Trafford.
Johnson did not see the initial incident but has since watched it back on television, and claimed Evra ‘probably stayed up all night’ thinking about how to shake hands with the Uruguayan.
“Evra was clever at Old Trafford,” Johnson told the Ian Ladyman. ”Because – I’m not being funny – but if I wanted to shake your hand I would stick it right out in front of me. But if my hand is down almost by my side, then it’s because I really don’t want to shake your hand.
Glen Johnson: “What else is Luis supposed to do?” Pic: Pa images
“Luis didn’t shake because Evra’s hand was down there. What else is Luis supposed to do? Would you go to shake someone’s hand if it is way down there by their side? Course not.”
Suarez was widely condemned for the incident and, along with the club, later apologised for his actions.
@mark. I have no interest LFC & I dont follow the premiership & know little about this incident but self pity city? WTF does that mean. You have never been to Liverpool I take it the greatest city in the world where the rest of the UK look down on them but they dont care. They dont do self pity. Stupid remark.
at the risk og rehashing this sorry episode 1. FA panel and Evra both.agreed that Suarez IS NOT a racist.
2. Evra’s evidence was founf to be “credible” despite the fact he altred same on at least two points i.e. number of times he alleged he was abused and changed words used.
3.Suarez never denied uding the term “negrito” google it..its NOT a racist term.in.Spanish..a language Evra is very famiiar with.
Glen Johnson has a probkem with McGraths input..and he states quite clearly his view (mine too) that Evra had no.intention.of shaking Suarez hand..obvious from.the footage and Evras manic insulting performance at final whistle. I find the references to self pity disgusting and low as they (in lack of evidence ti contrary by posters) are in.my.opinion.as a PROUD LFC fan vlearly a reference to our campaign for justice for our 96 victims of Hillsborough…something a minority of Utd fans even sing about
Every club has a minority of moronic supporters. Some Utd fans do song about Hillsborough and Heysel just the same as some Liverpool fans sing about Munich. It’s just a minority though.
It doesn’t matter what Johnson thinks. The issue had died down and he’s brought it up again. He shouldn’t be rising to the vultures in the press. Nothing good can come of it.
Liverpool need to let the issue go. Suarez was guilty and he has served his suspension. That should be where people move on.
@Michael J how is it that you know I have “never been to that city”. Stop being so presumptuous you know nothing about me.
I live in the UK mate, and have been to Liverpool on countless occasions for leisure and for football in the away end at Anfield supporting United. Sure its a good city for going on the lash but greatest city in the world? are you high mate?
I deplore abuse at any game, be it United, Liverpool or any other fan it has no place in football.
My reference to self pity is the utterly deplorable reaction the club from the very top has taken throughout the whole of this debacle. Always the victim never their fault. Its been the same Mantra since Rafa was there.
It wasnt the fact he used the word “negrito” that he was charged for it was the context, he used it in an aggressive and charged situation in which case how can it be construed as anything other than racist! The panel, Evra and I myself don’t believe Suarez is a fundamentally racist person but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t act in a racist manner on this occasion!
For fu#k sake are we going over this again! Can we all not just agree that professional footballers in general are Morans and typically have nothing insightful or interesting to say
Well said Damien. media are just stirring this up again. Still think Paul McGrath should keep stump after his defense of Ron Atkinson all those years back. Then again they all should just refuse to answer tabloid newspapers probing questions
@james that’s a face palm on my account, and Jim YOUR RIGHT it wasn’t a typo seems how a typo is a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind, it was just a regular spelling mistake were I clearly used the surname of “Moran” instead of the word moron, but if you were totally confused by my comment and it made absolutely no sense to you maybe I’m not the only moron here……
Johnson’s interview wasn’t months ago, it came out today. If he had have kept his mouth shut there would be no story. Footballers should be sent on media handling courses to prevent poor PR such as this.
This story gets hits which means more advertising revenue.
This story is one of 11 football stories that we’ve posted on the site today, including one on Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Messi’s five goals: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/category/soccer/
I’m a Liverpool fan but like the rest of us I’m so bored of it. It’s brought the worst out in everyone. Comments like ‘LFC defending racism while united defends titles’ is the kind of wind up that doesn’t help football fans shut their mouths.
As if man Utd fans, arsenal fans etc are any better or worse than LFC fans. I don’t hear much about spurs and their outrageous holocaust songs. Every club has a pack of absolute knuckle draggers associated with it.
Suarez is an idiot. He’s not a racist but he’s an idiot. Evra is also a classless (see end of lfc utd match) idiot who’s comments to Suarez in the document are vitriolic. Not as bad but still moronic. Dalglish should have put it to bed early on and it took an intervention by John Henry inc to put a stop to it.
As an LFC fan I’d like to get back to my false hope that we’re a quality team with a hope of getting into the champions league while believing the carling cup is significant.
Totally agree Ferg. Would only add that Johnson’s an idiot for even doing an interview with a rag like the Mail and McGrath should probably stick to the singing at this stage.
Suarez is a racist and has been found to be one by an independent panel. Read their report. Johnson is a fool for wearing the t-shirt. Nonsense that he’s his own man, all the players were ordered by Liverpool to wear them and not one of them had the backbone to say no. As for Evra not lifting his hand to shake Suarez, well I had thought only the most deluded and blinkered Pool supporters were buying that. I can’t stand Utd or Evra but in this case they are totally in the right.
Independent? That was a kangaroo court of no law whatsoever with one objectice…character assassination. .
Mr Goulding the guy employed by the FA to get Rooney off the hook for the Euros, the same FA with a one Mr David Gill on the board.
So if you have read the report you will agree that there are many inconsistencies in the evidence?
Players chose to wear the t-shirts, was the order from LFC to wear them in this report you read too? Id like to see where you have come across this order to wear the t-shirts is.
There is 1 reason this didnt go to the courts like the Terry case, because it wouldnt have made it in the door.
Wow – they are SOME admissions from an LFC fan! :D
But seriously, Spurs singing holocaust songs? They have heavy Jewish links? Sure you didnt mean Arsenal? No you coudnt actually, Arsenal have no songs – offensive or not. :D
I have to agree with Johnson with this one. McGrath should just keep quiet now tbh. By the way from a neutral point of view here…Evra got away with murder in all this!! lol….. And talking about getting away with murder…John Terry??…there is actual evidence of him say “you black c–t” on video FFS!!…lol
@Alan Alcoholism is a very serious illness and it is not something to be joked about. McGrath is one of the greatest players ever to represent this country. We don’t need moronic scousers like you belittling a legend
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suarez got all the stick when evra was equally guilty
Bollox
In what way was Evra guilty?
fair play RP
Anything to get a mid table team in the news. Average classless team.
You’d think Liverpool would try to improve their PR but they keep digging holes.
Self pity club from a self pity city.
Klanfield.
@mark. I have no interest LFC & I dont follow the premiership & know little about this incident but self pity city? WTF does that mean. You have never been to Liverpool I take it the greatest city in the world where the rest of the UK look down on them but they dont care. They dont do self pity. Stupid remark.
Greatest city is going too far.
I think what he is referring to is the “always the victim – not our fault” mentality that is present in a small section of the cities football fans.
at the risk og rehashing this sorry episode 1. FA panel and Evra both.agreed that Suarez IS NOT a racist.
2. Evra’s evidence was founf to be “credible” despite the fact he altred same on at least two points i.e. number of times he alleged he was abused and changed words used.
3.Suarez never denied uding the term “negrito” google it..its NOT a racist term.in.Spanish..a language Evra is very famiiar with.
Glen Johnson has a probkem with McGraths input..and he states quite clearly his view (mine too) that Evra had no.intention.of shaking Suarez hand..obvious from.the footage and Evras manic insulting performance at final whistle. I find the references to self pity disgusting and low as they (in lack of evidence ti contrary by posters) are in.my.opinion.as a PROUD LFC fan vlearly a reference to our campaign for justice for our 96 victims of Hillsborough…something a minority of Utd fans even sing about
Every club has a minority of moronic supporters. Some Utd fans do song about Hillsborough and Heysel just the same as some Liverpool fans sing about Munich. It’s just a minority though.
It doesn’t matter what Johnson thinks. The issue had died down and he’s brought it up again. He shouldn’t be rising to the vultures in the press. Nothing good can come of it.
Liverpool need to let the issue go. Suarez was guilty and he has served his suspension. That should be where people move on.
Always the victims, never their fault.
@Michael J how is it that you know I have “never been to that city”. Stop being so presumptuous you know nothing about me.
I live in the UK mate, and have been to Liverpool on countless occasions for leisure and for football in the away end at Anfield supporting United. Sure its a good city for going on the lash but greatest city in the world? are you high mate?
I deplore abuse at any game, be it United, Liverpool or any other fan it has no place in football.
My reference to self pity is the utterly deplorable reaction the club from the very top has taken throughout the whole of this debacle. Always the victim never their fault. Its been the same Mantra since Rafa was there.
It wasnt the fact he used the word “negrito” that he was charged for it was the context, he used it in an aggressive and charged situation in which case how can it be construed as anything other than racist! The panel, Evra and I myself don’t believe Suarez is a fundamentally racist person but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t act in a racist manner on this occasion!
Paul McGrath is a legend!
I’d say the interviewing journalist for the Daily mail Ian Ladyman got some slagging at school.
For fu#k sake are we going over this again! Can we all not just agree that professional footballers in general are Morans and typically have nothing insightful or interesting to say
Well said Damien. media are just stirring this up again. Still think Paul McGrath should keep stump after his defense of Ron Atkinson all those years back. Then again they all should just refuse to answer tabloid newspapers probing questions
So sports journalists shouldn’t report what sportspeople say?
And while McGrath’s former team-mate Kevin Moran was certainly a Moran, the vast majority of footballers aren’t Morans.
You spelt moron wrong kid!
That’s the joke Gavin. It’s intentional. :)
My mistake man, lol
whats a moran.it cant be a typo, cos O and A are nowhere near each other on any kind of keyboard.maybe the writer himself is the Moron . . .
@james that’s a face palm on my account, and Jim YOUR RIGHT it wasn’t a typo seems how a typo is a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind, it was just a regular spelling mistake were I clearly used the surname of “Moran” instead of the word moron, but if you were totally confused by my comment and it made absolutely no sense to you maybe I’m not the only moron here……
Typical Liverpool defending racism while UTD defend titles.
This is just bizarre. Why do clubs allow the players to do interviews? Absolutely no need to stir this up again.
Mr. Johnson should be careful where he throws his stones, might end up hitting toilet seat ;)
Couldnt agree more – why cant threy just let it go now?
Its essentially done & dusted and then glen johnson brings it up again.
Zzzzzzzzz
Can the journal post a real football story please. Like, is Lionel Messi the best ever, for example.
This was played out months ago.
Johnson’s interview wasn’t months ago, it came out today. If he had have kept his mouth shut there would be no story. Footballers should be sent on media handling courses to prevent poor PR such as this.
This story gets hits which means more advertising revenue.
Hi Jambbie / Billie,
This story is one of 11 football stories that we’ve posted on the site today, including one on Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Messi’s five goals: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/category/soccer/
I’m a Liverpool fan but like the rest of us I’m so bored of it. It’s brought the worst out in everyone. Comments like ‘LFC defending racism while united defends titles’ is the kind of wind up that doesn’t help football fans shut their mouths.
As if man Utd fans, arsenal fans etc are any better or worse than LFC fans. I don’t hear much about spurs and their outrageous holocaust songs. Every club has a pack of absolute knuckle draggers associated with it.
Suarez is an idiot. He’s not a racist but he’s an idiot. Evra is also a classless (see end of lfc utd match) idiot who’s comments to Suarez in the document are vitriolic. Not as bad but still moronic. Dalglish should have put it to bed early on and it took an intervention by John Henry inc to put a stop to it.
As an LFC fan I’d like to get back to my false hope that we’re a quality team with a hope of getting into the champions league while believing the carling cup is significant.
Totally agree Ferg. Would only add that Johnson’s an idiot for even doing an interview with a rag like the Mail and McGrath should probably stick to the singing at this stage.
And the hooch
Suarez is a racist and has been found to be one by an independent panel. Read their report. Johnson is a fool for wearing the t-shirt. Nonsense that he’s his own man, all the players were ordered by Liverpool to wear them and not one of them had the backbone to say no. As for Evra not lifting his hand to shake Suarez, well I had thought only the most deluded and blinkered Pool supporters were buying that. I can’t stand Utd or Evra but in this case they are totally in the right.
Independent? That was a kangaroo court of no law whatsoever with one objectice…character assassination. .
Mr Goulding the guy employed by the FA to get Rooney off the hook for the Euros, the same FA with a one Mr David Gill on the board.
So if you have read the report you will agree that there are many inconsistencies in the evidence?
Players chose to wear the t-shirts, was the order from LFC to wear them in this report you read too? Id like to see where you have come across this order to wear the t-shirts is.
There is 1 reason this didnt go to the courts like the Terry case, because it wouldnt have made it in the door.
Wow – they are SOME admissions from an LFC fan! :D
But seriously, Spurs singing holocaust songs? They have heavy Jewish links? Sure you didnt mean Arsenal? No you coudnt actually, Arsenal have no songs – offensive or not. :D
@ Ferg BTW
lets go again
El Uruguayo Suarez no puede hablar de racismo , primero que se mire al espejo!!!!
¿Por qué no?
Por que sea Blanco o sea Negro, ante los ojos de Dios , todos somos iguales !!!!!
I have to agree with Johnson with this one. McGrath should just keep quiet now tbh. By the way from a neutral point of view here…Evra got away with murder in all this!! lol….. And talking about getting away with murder…John Terry??…there is actual evidence of him say “you black c–t” on video FFS!!…lol
Pot kettle!
Pot would want to leave his racist remarks out of this one!
@Alan Alcoholism is a very serious illness and it is not something to be joked about. McGrath is one of the greatest players ever to represent this country. We don’t need moronic scousers like you belittling a legend
Well said
Sports teams shouldn’t be involved in racism rows in the first place, stay out of the politics and just play what your obscenely paid to do.