GRcade

The Observer wrote:The lords of misrule could not have arranged it better: in his first full game following an eight-match ban for racially abusing an opponent, Liverpool striker Luis Suárez found himself facing that very opponent, Manchester United's Patrice Evra. The rivalry between the two most successful clubs in English football history was ratcheted up another notch by United last year overtaking Liverpool's long-standing record of 18 league titles. And yesterday, Suárez's pre-match refusal to shake Evra's hand took none of the tension out of the fixture; instead, it ensured that the current issues surrounding race, the punishment of racial abuse and its aftermath, remain under intense scrutiny. Yesterday, it also emerged that Manchester City defender Micah Richards closed down his twitter account following racist abuse.

Football has done as much as any industry to address racism, yet the contrasting post-match reactions of the teams' managers, Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson, demonstrated a profound difference of opinion about the importance of how we deal with these situations. In those interviews, Dalglish appeared blinkered, determined only to defend his player and protect Liverpool Football Club. Ferguson, by contrast, cut a statesmanlike figure, understanding that here there is something at stake that extends far beyond mere football.

Kenny Dalglish proved the depth of his humanity with his extraordinary efforts to comfort and counsel the grieving families of the Hillsborough disaster; he does not have to demonstrate that he is a decent man. His stance throughout the Suárez case has not, however, seemed to engage with the gravity of the situation and its wider ramifications.

Football gets no better than when the heat of competition is at its greatest. The game is nothing without passion and rivalry; we are all too aware of the dangers of it becoming a sanitised, corporate sport. But we must also recognise when the wider social good comes into play and when club must not be put before country.

Cuban Pete wrote:What I saw was Evra shake everybody else's hand and then move his hand significantly lower when it came to Suarez, as if he was going to reject the shake himself. ONly when Suarez beat him to it did he get annoyed.

ANd amazingly comical scenes after 45 seconds when Evra and Ferdinand raced towards Suarez only for Suarez to stop and dodge them both leaving a EvRio pile up. Woopsie!

tomvek wrote:Thanks for the PM, shall get MOTD downloaded and watch it in bed

Really want to see the Tottenham/Newcastle match

Cuban Pete wrote:What I saw was Evra shake everybody else's hand and then move his hand significantly lower when it came to Suarez, as if he was going to reject the shake himself. ONly when Suarez beat him to it did he get annoyed.

Matty Davies @MattyDavies12

@GaryLineker_ tell Hansen he's the one who's let our club down and he's let kenny down who's his mate. We gave him the life he has. #traitor

Cuban Pete wrote:lolwut?! Nah he definitely moves it lower when he sees who is coming. Such a weird day!

Dark Ritual wrote:

Ramsey scores v Utd, Bin Laden dies. Ramsey v Spurs, Steve Jobs dies. Ramsey v Marseille, Gaddafi dies. Ramsey v Sunderland, Whitney dies.

Cuban Pete wrote:Lower being almost by his side is quite the difference. What if Suarez saw this and then didn't shake because of it.

gamerforever wrote:Really hope Harry stays at Spurs until the end of the season at least, which will give us time to scout for a replacement. For me, only Mourinho or Hiddink will do.

Harry has done so much for Spurs. From being bottom of the table to the best team in London in 3-4 years the guy is a true genius. He would win the title for us within 2 seasons if he stayed I reckon...

Zellery wrote:Kean, better than AVB.

gamerforever wrote:Acting like children. Evra looked hesitant and expected suarez to come straight to him rather than meet half way. Anyway the media have made things worse, as usual.

Cuban Pete wrote:No not at all, but I'll take that shift in subject as an acceptance of my point.