Football Banter

The Football Association's report into the Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra racism hearing was published Saturday, with the independent commission concluding that aspects of Suarez's evidence were "unreliable." The 115-page document details the conversation between the two players.

The report details the reasons behind Liverpool striker Suarez's eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United and France defender Evra in a Premier League match at Anfield on October 15.

The Uruguay international, the report says, used the word "negro" or "negros" seven times during the confrontation.

"Mr Suarez's evidence was unreliable in relation to matters of critical importance," the report says, while adding that "Mr Evra was a credible witness."

"For example, Mr Suarez said that he pinched Mr Evra's skin in an attempt to defuse the situation. He also said that his use of the word 'negro' to address Mr Evra was conciliatory and friendly. We rejected that evidence.

"To describe his own behaviour in that way was unsustainable and simply incredible given that the players were engaged in an acrimonious argument.

"That this was put forward by Mr Suarez was surprising and seriously undermined the reliability of his evidence on other matters.

"There were also inconsistencies between his accounts given at different times as to what happened."

Suarez was found guilty on the "balance of probability" - a lower standard than the criminal standard of "beyond all reasonable doubt".

According to the report, Evra admitted that he begun the exchange with Suarez by referring to the Uruguayan's sister in Spanish.

The report added: "After the referee Andre Marriner separated them, Mr Suarez said that he turned to Mr Evra and said, 'Por que, negro?'

"He [Suarez] said that he used the word 'negro' at this point in the way that he did when he was growing up in Uruguay, that is as a friendly form of address to people seen as black or brown-skinned or even just black-haired.

"He [Suarez] said that he used it in the same way that he did when he spoke to Glen Johnson, the Liverpool player.

"He [Suarez] said in no way was the use of the word 'negro' intended to be offensive or to be racially offensive. It was intended as an attempt at conciliation."

The entire conversation took place in Spanish and linguistic experts Professor Peter Wade and Dr James Scorer helped the panel with the meaning of the phrases.

The commission added: "In our judgment, Mr Suarez's use of the term [negro] was not intended as an attempt at conciliation or to establish rapport; neither was it meant in a conciliatory and friendly way."

In the report, Suarez claimed: "I would refer to Glen Johnson as 'negro' in the same way that I might refer to Dirk Kuyt as 'Blondie' - because he has blond hair, or Andy Carroll as 'Grandote' - 'Big Man' - because he is very tall.

"Where I come from it is normal to refer to people in this way by reference to what they look like. There is no aggression in referring to somebody in this way and there is certainly no racial connotation."

Suarez, who was also fined 40,000 pounds over the incident, has until January 13 to lodge an appeal.

The FA and Liverpool were given the findings on Friday by the Independent Regulatory Commission. Both parties have the right to an appeal and must reply by 13 January.

source: http://www.footballtradedirectory.com/ne...-case.html

If Suarez used the word 'negro' seven times as it is alleged, then he has committed racism abuse. While it may be that he says the word is acceptable in his home country, it is not viewed as acceptable language in other parts of the world, and also especially here. Yet I listened to 606 last night and one interesting point came up from the programme when I think it was the presenter with Jason who said:- "The thing that strikes him the most is why have Chelsea and Liverpool taken the stance and supported both players in either instance?"
Why indeed?
In any other normal working situation, use of the same tone of language to anyone else either within the company, would see the employer using such language suspended while an investigation was carried out then probably dismissed. Suarez maybe banned for 8 games but I think maybe harsh for both Liverpool and for Suarez, but it should send out the message that this language cannot be tolerated and maybe players will think twice in future.
But at the same time, i still feel that neither Terry or Suarez should not be playing while under investigation. They should have been suspended from playing until investigations were completed.

(01-01-2012 09:01 )babelover48 Wrote:  But at the same time, i still feel that neither Terry or Suarez should not be playing while under investigation. They should have been suspended from playing until investigations were completed.

What the same as when people in court are on bail before & during their trial up until the piont of being found guilty or not guilty, a crime in everyday life is a bit more serious than an offence on a football pitch. John Terry shouldn't be playing for nevermind captaining England untill a verdict is in but to say they shouldn't be playing Premier League football is going a bit far.

(01-01-2012 13:22 )mitchell Wrote:  to say they shouldn't be playing Premier League football is going a bit far.

playing premier league football is their job. the fa need to ban all parties from speaking to the media when facing disciplinary action to stop them from predjucing their case.

is it just me or not, chelsea missing carvalho because since he lefted jt has been more exposured than ryan giggs injuction. jt could be off to china with dogba and anelka. beckham wants lampard at la galaxy, i bet most chelsea fans would be happy for lampard to leave chelsea and he take his ugly wag christine with him.

jason roberts on 606 last night said due to contractual reasons he cannot play if he plays one more game gets a new contract. he says he has the best interests of the club at heart. if thats case he could wave the clause away however since he and salgado stopped palying blackburn have been playing quite well despite kean.

With regards to Steve Kean I hope he turns it around. I must admit I thought he was a donkey and couldn't work out Blackburns decisions. But the abuse he has received is disgusting and nothing short of vile.
It's the bullying from the crowds, the protests, the mentality of they'd rather see Blackburn lose if it means Kean will eventually lose his job!!!

What has been your thinking over the last two games ? No one could have predicted a single point for Blackburn playing away at Liverpool and United, yet they walked away (somehow) with 4!
Kean is now starting to bleed through some youngsters and with the league being so tight, who knows what might happen.

(01-01-2012 14:12 )bigguy01 Wrote:  playing premier league football is their job. the fa need to ban all parties from speaking to the media when facing disciplinary action to stop them from predjucing their case.

The FA have done this themselves by putting the 115 page document on thier website for the world to see knowing full well that Liverpool & Luis Suárez still haven't appealed the decision yet. what chance have we got now the media have got hold of the info on the case!!!

Thing is keane only got all the abuse cos of the venky's fair play to him any other manager would have walked. fans got worried because unlike times of old when things went wrong we always knew that if the worst happens we got people like big jack or john williams had wha it took to do what was needed to fix things

with these bunch of shisters in charge we dont have a clue whats going on theres something horrible going on behind the scenes its going to bite us on the arse and we might end up like portsmouth or another leeds

Thing is keane had to play with the youngsters because thats all he had to play with would he have chosen them to play if we have a fully fit squad doubt it

My worry is the venkys think ooooh we beat united with the kids we dont need samba and a few more of the expeirenced players and they sell them to pay off barclays

Just when you think City were going to capatilise on United, Spurs and Chelsea not winning, they lose 1-0 to Sunderland!

Have to say it was offside, but damn does it keep the title race alive!

La Liga can suck it

I'd say all the top spots - even Champions League places - are up for grabs after Arsenal losing to Fulham!!

At last the Blackburn players have learnt to tackle.