Sir Alex Ferguson branded Luis Suarez a “disgrace” and claimed he should never be allowed to play for Liverpool again after the Uruguay striker refused to shake hands with Patrice Evra before Manchester United’s explosive 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Ferguson was furious that Suarez deliberately withdrew his hand when he came face to face with Evra for the first time since being handed an eight-match suspension for racially abusing the United captain in a match at Anfield last October.
Evra looked shocked by Suarez’s snub during the traditional pre-match handshakes and grabbed at the Uruguayan’s arm before his United team-mate Rio Ferdinand responded by refusing to shake hands with the Liverpool star.
Ferguson claimed Suarez’s actions could have sparked a riot in a fixture already drenched in hatred between the two sets of supporters.
The Scot believes a club of Liverpool’s history and tradition should now wash their hands of Suarez.
“I couldn’t believe it. I just could not believe it,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.
“I had a chat with Patrice this morning and he said he was going to shake his hand. He said I have nothing to be ashamed of.
“He (Suarez) is a disgrace to Liverpool football club. He shouldn’t be allowed to play for Liverpool again.
“The history that club’s got, he could have caused a riot. It was terrible what he did.
“You saw the referee. He didn’t know what to do. It was a terrible start to the game and it created a terrible atmosphere.”
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish later insisted he had not seen the incident, but lost his cool with a television interviewer at the suggestion it had led to a bust-up between players from both sides at half-time.
“I never knew he didn’t shake his hand. I will take your word for it. That is contrary to what I was told,” Dalglish said.
“It’s bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened today, how many bookings were there? The fans had a bit of banter.”
Bondy
Guest
I tend to agree Ben the situation hasn't or didn't come to a close , one could suggest it's just started another chapter with even more animosity between the two clubs .
Jimbo
Guest
Overreaction from Fergie? Au contraire, I think he is spot on. Suarez racially abused Evra, and then acted in a completely childish and petulant manner in this latest encounter. 'Disgrace' seems to to be a near perfect descriptor for Suarez for mine.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I can't stand United and I still think it was ridiculous and childish
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Yes, because the signal sent is that the situation has not come to a close and everyone cannot just move on. Petulant is probably the word I would have chosen
MelbCro
Guest
Wait, so you are saying not shaking someones hand is dangerous? Wow, just wow. I seriously don't know what bizzare fantasy world you live, but that has no logic at all to it.
UK Steve
Guest
United fan by any chance. Who would the riot have been between? The players or the fans? Either way, its a massive overreaction from Fergie.
Midfielder
Guest
I gotta agree with Sir Alex .... given what was at stake it was shameful and dangerous ...
Bondy
Guest
I agree Philipcoates, they claim to be Pro's these blokes . In saying that it was one of the most tense encounters that I've witnessed between the two clubs for over a decade, as a neutral the game was great theatre .
Colin N
Guest
"Evra should man up, why should Suarez have to shake his hand , he served his 8 weeks suspension." Erm, he doesn't have to shake Evra's hand, but by not, he has effectively acted as the victim despite being convicted by the FA of racially abusing someone. In fact, I was surprised that Evra even offered his hand, so to see Suarez refuse it, paints him and Liverpool in further bad light. Daglish has also acted poorly during this episode and compounded this in his post-match press conference for Sky.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
or Suarez should have "manned up" and just shaken his hand. An odd analysis there, Neil.
Neil Australia
Guest
Evra should man up, why should Suarez have to shake his hand , he served his 8 weeks suspension. It seems to me that some players use the racist card to be precious or gain an advantage.
Philipcoates
Guest
The FA or FIFA should make their mind up on the pre-match handshake. Either it's mandatory and failure to shake is bringing the game into disrepute, or it's not mandatory and we can forget all this breast beating about who did or who did not shake hands. In my opinion, these guys call themselves professionals but their action to refuse to shake shows that they are anything but professional - they just show their selfish egos and lack of respect to each other as combatants in a game. Even boxers always shake - touch gloves - before trying to belt each other showing their respect for the rules and the contest. Football is the loser when these events become more talked about than the match itself.
UK Steve
Guest
Like the club are going to get rid of a £25m player over that. Wonder what Fergie's take on Ferdinand not shaking Suarez's hand will be? I'm sure it will be different. Jamie Redknapp got it right during the half time analysis by saying that the Premier League should have had the nous to forgo the hand shake in this particular match. Let's face it, is it that big of a deal. Makes for good theatre.