As the writer of this blog, I face an interesting dilemma when considering the actual written content of this blog. For I am a Liverpool supporter blog readers. Yes I have supported Liverpool FC since my glory hunting days at the age of five.
From a purely footballing perspective, Luis Suarez being banned for eight matches and potentially more if Liverpool FC were to appeal the decision delivered by the FA yesterday, we would be in a "up the creek without a paddle" situation. I mean it frankly looks like Andy Carroll would have more luck scoring off the pitch rather than on it at the moment, so Kenny Dalgish may have to ask the boardroom bosses to use the cheque book during the January transfer window.
Turning to the more serious issue of Luis Suarez being found guilty of a racial slur against Man United's Patrice Evra, well put it this way, having read the views and opinions of various members of the footballing community I think you can safely say that the issue is "complex". There are those who think the issue (i am so going to regret this pun) is black and white (i knew i would), and think the FA were correct to throw the book at Suarez. It's like make an example of one star, other footballers will think twice before considering making abusive comments towards another player based on the colour of their skin. In the purest sense, it could be deemed a very fair decision. Suarez did admit to using a term in front of Evra which in his own Uruguayan culture would not be considered offensive, however, in English culture is considered racially offensive. Cultural ignorance is not an excuse.
Reading the Liverpool FC statement in response to Suarez decision last night, it was meant to have the effect of a JCB Digger digging holes in every aspect of the FA decision and quite a few digs at Patrice Evra at the same time. You would have to say that Liverpool's main issues lie with the guilty verdict based on the evidence of Patrice Evra alone apparently; no one, not even Patrice Evra has indicated during the hearing that Suarez is a racist, yet the fact Suarez was found guilty of a racial slur and given a lengthy ban and fine would imply to the contrary. The players of Liverpool FC have left us in no doubt of what they think about this accusation against Suarez, with a joint statement on the website and then the Luis Suarez T-shirt fashion brigade this evening in the match against Wigan.
As for my thoughts well that's the 1000 dollar question isn't it. Having discovered what Suarez had allegedly said towards Evra well i knew things were not looking too clever and the fact of the matter in England what he said is found to be racially offensive fact. The fact is though Suarez does come from an entirely different culture to that of England. To Suarez, what he said does not have racial overtones based on his cultural upbringing. Which leads us to surely the point that people do need to be educated properly in terms of a country's culture and what is deemed appropriate behaviour and speech, whether visiting, working or living there.
My work colleague told me an interesting story while watching the QVC shopping the other day. Apparently an American woman referred to a bum/belt bag as a fanny bag. The English presenter was absolutely aghast when she heard the term "fanny" and made it clear to our American friend should could not employ that word again. Apparently she still continued to employ the word "fanny" as she had learnt to employ that term for a bum/belt bag.
My point is that yes ok punish Suarez, but is it appropriate to hang him out to dry. The fact is mud sticks and at the moment the punishment dished out could have potentially serious implications for his career. Is an eight match ban and a £40,000 fine seriously going to win the victory against racism in football. I very much doubt that. As Tony Blair once said at a party conference, Education, Education, Education is what is needed. Get Suarez involved in the fight against racism in football.
Whatever happens Suarezgate is not going to go away very fast. Neither is Terrygate either and he faces a potentially even worse fate. Jail!
Not forgetting this footballing news is brought to you by the word "abuse" i would like to personally express my disgust at what i witnessed during Blackburn's match against Bolton last night. Steve Kean, not the greatest manager of a Blackburn team ever admittedly, was copping the most astonishing abuse from fans during the match. At one point i spotted an old bearded man giving Kean abuse literally within five yards from where he was standing. Firstly, where were the police and secondly, what on earth gives an alleged football fan the right to do that? It seems England is creating a new brand of football fan, who thinks if everything is not right with his or her team, they have devine right to hurl abuse at a manager or players. No doubt the argument we pay their wages and so we have a right to say what we want will come out and we are passionate about our club. Don't care, if you were a true fan you would cheer your side to the final whistle and hold on a second, maybe even support the representatives of your team.
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