Liverpool finally back down and issue apologies over Evra snub

First Luis Suarez admitted his “mistake” in failing to shake the hand of Patrice Evra, whom the Liverpool striker was found to have racially abused during a previous meeting of the two clubs – an offence which earned him an eight-match ban.

Then managing director Ian Ayre castigated the Uruguay international for misleading the club, claiming Suarez had said he would not snub Evra.

That view was endorsed by manager Kenny Dalglish, who also apologised for his conduct in a post-match interview with Sky Sports in which he said interviewer Geoff Shreeves was “out of order” for asking about Suarez.

The statements were published on the club’s website, one after the other in little over an hour, on the day a report had appeared in the New York Times calling for Liverpool’s American owners to “get hold of Liverpool... and repair its global image fast”.

Although there have been no public statements from Fenway Sports Group, who bought Liverpool 15 months ago and installed Dalglish as manager three months later, many detected their influence in the sudden about-turn in the club’s support of the 25-year-old Suarez.

Ayre said: “The player had told us beforehand that he would [shake Evra’s hand], but then chose not to do so.

“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the club.

“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.”

Dalglish had previously paraphrased the club’s anthem when he urged the club’s fans to make sure Suarez did not “walk alone” after he was charged with racially abusing Evra and some Reds fans had responded in vociferous fashion at Anfield and on the internet.

As late as last week the 60-year-old Scot had claimed that the Uruguayan, his first signing on his return to the club, should not have been banned.

But he was contrite yesterday, saying in his statement: “To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.

“But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.

“When I went on TV after yesterday’s game I hadn’t seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I’d like to apologise for that.”

A hint that Dalglish had, at last, started to doubt his unequivocal support for Suarez had come in Saturday evening’s Match of the Day when his long-time friend Alan Hansen said: “To snub Patrice Evra was, in my view, totally unacceptable.”

And, while the Uruguayan stopped short of the apology to Evra himself for which some have called, he admitted he had been made to see the error of his ways following a discussion with his manager.

He said: “I’ve not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I’m sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

“I should have shaken Patrice Evra’s hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.

“I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football.”

It remains to be seen if Suarez, who left Ajax following a seven-match ban for biting an opponent, will be allowed to do so amid reports Primer Minister David Cameron is planning a racism summit with football’s authorities. His conduct had even drawn criticism from the players’ union with PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor describing him as “disrespectful, inappropriate and embarrassing”, echoing the comments of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who had called him “a disgrace” who should never play for Liverpool again.

United yesterday sought to draw a line under the affair from their own standpoint, saying they accepted Liverpool’s apologies and expressing a desire to “move on”.

A statement on the club’s website, under the heading “Reds accept rivals’ apology” read: “Manchester United thanks Liverpool for the apologies issued following Saturday’s game.

“Everyone at Old Trafford wants to move on from this. The history of our two great clubs is one of success and rivalry unparalleled in British football.

“That should be the focus in the future of all those who love the clubs.”

In the spirit of reconciliation, United defender Rio Ferdinand was also prepared to concede that Evra’s post-match celebrations went too far.

He wrote on Twitter: “I’m sure Patrice Evra will feel that his celebrations at the end were maybe a bit much....emotions etc probably got the better of him...”