Liverpool FC

[Tal]

that souness tackle i posted if it had happened today would almost certainly have involved the courts

Context is different, sadly. It's like seeing a racist joke on Porridge.

Ian Wright going two footed at Schmeichel, Roy Keane setting out to break Alfe Inge Haaland's leg, Ben Thatcher on Pedro Mendes. Plenty of examples of deplorable acts about in football history.

Rugby isn't above this stuff by any means but I would have loved to have seen Suarez do that to Danny Grewcock.

[kinboshi]

Was Keane prosecuted for the challenge on Haaland (seeing as it was pre-meditated as he mentions in his book)?  There was talk of a civil action, but that's a different matter.

If that didn't go to court, how can Suarez's bite - which despite being so ludicrous and indefensible, is hardly on a par with what Keane did (and what others have done)?

[kinboshi]

John Barnes also in talking-sense shocker:

"He has to suffer the consequences of his actions - that's all he has to do.

"I've heard talk about him not playing for Liverpool again, which I think is ridiculous. I've heard talk about him bringing the good name of Liverpool down, which is also ridiculous - he's brought his own good name down.

"If you're saying because of what he's done he should never play for Liverpool again, who should he play for?

"Whoever signs him, it's going to reflect badly that they sign a player who Liverpool deem from a moral perspective not good enough.

"So Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona... they can sign him? But we can't have him? If you're questioning his moral character, what you're actually saying is that if he can't play for Liverpool he can't play for anyone, which is ridiculous.

"The reflection on Liverpool is their response to the actions and their response is right. The response from (managing director) Ian Ayre and the club is 'it's completely unacceptable and we will not accept it'."

[kinboshi]

Liverpool FC's MD on the Suarez situation:

Ian, everyone is still talking about Sunday's incident with Luis Suarez. What is the latest on the situation?

I think the most important thing is that we acted swiftly yesterday. Luis issued his apology and then we spoke with him last night and then again this morning. We've taken action to fine Luis for his actions. Brendan has spoken to him and I've spoken to him, and Brendan will be working with him further on his discipline. You can see when you speak to him how sorry he is about it and he's certainly shown quite a lot of contrition to us - and as part of that, he's also asked we donate the fine to the Hillsborough Family Support Group. I think he felt like he let a lot of people down yesterday. We'll work with Luis - Brendan particularly - on this side of his character in his game. Hopefully that puts the matter to rest from our point of view and we'll wait and see if there's any further action from the football authorities.

Have you had any contact with the owners regarding this situation?

Yes, of course. With any incident like this, any major incident at the club, we're in direct dialogue with the owners, always. I spoke to them last night and they were happy with the way we were handling the matter.

Will the events of the last 24 hours have any bearing on Luis's future at Liverpool Football Club?

Not at all. It affects his future in the sense that we have to work with him on his discipline - but Luis is a very important player to the club. He's a very popular player with his teammates. As we keep saying, he signed a new four-year contract last summer and we'd all love to see him here throughout that contract. He's a fantastic player, top scorer and everything we'd want in a striker, so there's no change there. This is more about getting him back on the right track and it's largely down to Brendan now to work with him on that side of his character.[/size]

Correct response imo.

[77dave]

Referee Kevin Friend did not see the incident and the Football Association is set to open an investigation into the matter on Monday, while police have confirmed Ivanovic will not press charges.

[kinboshi]

Referee Kevin Friend didn't see a lot on Sunday! 

[MANTIS01]

What people need to realise is that in some parts of Uruguay biting is a term of endearment. Let's say you live in Montevideo and go to visit your gran, well it would be deemed socially acceptable to bite her on the arm when you arrive in order to show affection. Not biting would be seen as disrespectful. So pls can we give Suarez a break as he's obv a stand-up fella who doesn't quite understand these strange foreign ways.

[George2Loose]

Barnes actually speaking a lot of sense

[david3103]

I hadn't seen the incident until today and obviously biting people is never to be condoned, but here's a thought...

If referees acted firmly on the grappling that goes on in the penalty area for every dead ball situation then forwards wouldn't find themselves so frustrated that eventually they react.

[Waz1892]

I hadn't seen the incident until today and obviously biting people is never to be condoned, but here's a thought...

If referees acted firmly on the grappling that goes on in the penalty area for every dead ball situation then forwards wouldn't find themselves so frustrated that eventually they react.

understood to a degree, however, and this from a staunch red, Ivanovic didn't seem to do a lot or even, anything wrong to evoke such a reaction.

[sweet potata!]

I hadn't seen the incident until today and obviously biting people is never to be condoned, but here's a thought...

If referees acted firmly on the grappling that goes on in the penalty area for every dead ball situation then forwards wouldn't find themselves so frustrated that eventually they react.

understood to a degree, however, and this from a staunch red, Ivanovic didn't seem to do a lot or even, anything wrong to evoke such a reaction.

They had been at each other all game, even had a coming together going down the tunnel, so I don't think it was just a random act, Suarez is a mentalist, we all know that, he gave away a pen too, this all lead to him boiling over imo.

[kinboshi]

Well before the 'Mauling of Ivanovic', I was saying that Suarez was going to get sent off.  After the handball and the yellow card, he was treading a very fine line.  If he could cut out his moaning, his tendency to 'exaggerate' when he's fouled, and his predisposition to do an imitation of Jaws - then he'd be pretty much the perfect player

[Acidmouse]

I hadn't seen the incident until today and obviously biting people is never to be condoned, but here's a thought...

If referees acted firmly on the grappling that goes on in the penalty area for every dead ball situation then forwards wouldn't find themselves so frustrated that eventually they react.

understood to a degree, however, and this from a staunch red, Ivanovic didn't seem to do a lot or even, anything wrong to evoke such a reaction.

They had been at each other all game, even had a coming together going down the tunnel, so I don't think it was just a random act, Suarez is a mentalist, we all know that, he gave away a pen too, this all lead to him boiling over imo.

normal game then. Esp since people know he reacts

[sweet potata!]

Yep, he's the worst loser in the world! Not necessarily a bad thing IMO.

[77dave]

Hearing that its going to be a 7 match ban, for obv reasons im hoping for a 4 match ban and he can have a long off season and be ready for next year.

This will be the first time since Sturridge arrived that Suarez wont be available and will be interesting to see how he does as the main man. Borini is also in back in full training, would be good to see him get a goal or 2 before the end of the season and get the monkey off his back.