IRELAND FOOTBALL LEGEND Paul McGrath has today voiced his disappointment at the reaction of Liverpool FC to Luis Suarez’s guilty verdict.
The Anfield striker was this week found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra during a game in October.
The Uruguayan was handed an eight-game ban and fined £40,000. He has two weeks to appeal.
Last night, Liverpool’s first-team squad released a joint statement in which they gave their full backing to Suarez.
Before the goalless draw with Wigan, the players wore t-shirts depicting the centre-forward on the front, with his name and number emblazoned on the back.
Afterwards, manager Kenny Dalglish said the gesture showed “the boys’ respect and admiration” for their team-mate.
McGrath, however, tweeted today: “As x footballer havin experienced racist comments throughout my career I was saddened to see Liverpool players wear those tshirts last nite. I would have been much happier if they had worn anti racist t shirts.”
So what do you think? Are the Liverpool players and management right to stand by their man – despite the guilty verdict?
The right thing to do would have been for them all (including Suarez himself) to wear ant-racism t-shirts, not pro Suarez ones. Very bad message to send out.
Completely wrong. Suarez was found guilty of making a racist remark. He should have apologised and taken the punishment.
I don’t believe he is racist. I think he tried to wind Evra up and went too far.
The statement Liverpool released was embarrassing and wearing the t-shirts was shocking. It only serves to tarnish the clubs reputation should the appeal be denied.
Absolutely. The case against him doesnt add up. Evra himself admitted in his statement whatever Suarez said wasnt meant as racist (meaning whatever he said wasnt pure racism and was open to interpretation). Also, Suarez himself is a quarter black so it really makes little sense. IMO it was entirely down to the impartiality of the panel judging him (one or two serious Manure links).