Fergie backs Liverpool over Suarez ban
Source: AFP |
April 28, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool was right not to take disciplinary action against striker Luis Suarez before he was handed a 10-match ban by the English Football Association for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
Ferguson said the incident reminded him of the treatment United received from the FA after French striker Eric Cantona launched a kung-fu kick at a Crystal Palace fan in 1995.
Ferguson claims the FA assured the club it would not take further action if United punished the player, but although United suspended him for four months, English football's governing body subsequently increased the ban to eight months.
As a result, Ferguson said he understood Liverpool's decision not to take preemptive action against Suarez.
"I bet they are glad they didn't. It didn't work for us," he said. "David Davies (then the FA spokesman) promised us if we did it there would be no more action taken.
"Think about that - a nine-month ban. It is quite incredible. I still can't get my head round it."
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has also expressed surprise at the severity of Suarez's punishment.
"He made a mistake, he said sorry to everyone," said the Italian, who said Suarez was his player of the season.
"Do you want to kill him? He has got his punishment. It's finished."
Suarez bit Ivanovic on the arm during the 2-2 English Premier League draw between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield last weekend.
The Uruguayan subsequently apologized for his behavior, but was handed a 10-match suspension by the FA on Wednesday, ruling him out of action until next season.
Ferguson said the incident reminded him of the treatment United received from the FA after French striker Eric Cantona launched a kung-fu kick at a Crystal Palace fan in 1995.
Ferguson claims the FA assured the club it would not take further action if United punished the player, but although United suspended him for four months, English football's governing body subsequently increased the ban to eight months.
As a result, Ferguson said he understood Liverpool's decision not to take preemptive action against Suarez.
"I bet they are glad they didn't. It didn't work for us," he said. "David Davies (then the FA spokesman) promised us if we did it there would be no more action taken.
"Think about that - a nine-month ban. It is quite incredible. I still can't get my head round it."
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has also expressed surprise at the severity of Suarez's punishment.
"He made a mistake, he said sorry to everyone," said the Italian, who said Suarez was his player of the season.
"Do you want to kill him? He has got his punishment. It's finished."
Suarez bit Ivanovic on the arm during the 2-2 English Premier League draw between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield last weekend.
The Uruguayan subsequently apologized for his behavior, but was handed a 10-match suspension by the FA on Wednesday, ruling him out of action until next season.
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