Finally someone in authority at Liverpool FC has stood up to Luis Suarez and told him that his actions at Old Trafford on Saturday are not acceptable.
Ayre issued this statement on the Liverpool web site:
“We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday’s game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.
“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his teammates and the Club. It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.
“Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club.”
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish also apologized for his conduct during his post-match interview with Sky Sports on Saturday as he faced questions about Luis Suarez’s refusal to shake hands with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
Dalglish said in a statement released on the official Liverpool website on Sunday afternoon:
“Ian Ayre has made the club’s position absolutely clear and it is right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at Old Trafford,” said Dalglish.
“To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.
“But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this Club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.
“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.”
To if I read these apologies right, Suarez lied to Dalglish by telling him he would shake Evra’s hand. Liverpool’s US management group obviously isn’t happy with the way that Liverpool’s name has been dragged through the mud worldwide this weekend. The big question is what are the long-term ramifications of this? Will Suarez still be at Liverpool at the end of the summer? I would think that is no more than a 50-50 proposition at the moment.
