ALEX FERGUSON, the Manchester United manager, has accused Liverpool of ignoring Football Association instructions by “drip-feeding” information about the Luis Suarez racism case, despite warnings that it could inflame tensions between the two clubs.
Ferguson’s anger also extended to Gus Poyet, Suarez’s fellow Uruguayan, following the Brighton Hove Albion manager’s outspoken criticism of Patrice Evra for putting in place the investigation that has led to the Liverpool striker being charged with racially abusing the Frenchman during the 1-1 draw at Anfield last month.
Ferguson has been incensed by Poyet’s accusation of Evra “crying like a baby” but his first complaint was directed at Liverpool, alleging that United’s rivals had not respected an agreement the clubs had made with the FA not to discuss the matter once the investigation was under way.
“We have been asked by the FA not to say anything about the Evra situation and we have abided by that. I think Liverpool have been drip-feeding a lot of stuff out in the last couple of weeks, but at the end of the day the FA will deal with that.
“I’m more surprised by Gus Poyet’s remarks. I think that’s inappropriate at the time when people throughout the world are condemning racism and I think he’s chosen the wrong time. I can understand he wants to support someone from his country but he’s got to think more. His criticism of Evra is a bit silly.”
United’s defender Rio Ferdinand described Poyet’s comments as “prehistoric talk”.
Poyet had said there is no evidence to charge Suarez and that Evra should never have made the complaint. The FA will look closely at what has been said before deciding whether to take the matter further.
In the meantime Brighton may have to abandon any interest in taking Ravel Morrison on loan from United, with the chance of that happening now almost nonexistent.
Ferguson later returned to Liverpool’s defence of Suarez. “That’s up to the FA to decide on, not for us,” he said. “I have no stance on their (Liverpool’s) agenda over the past couple of weeks. I understand they want to protect their player because he’s an asset, and you can understand that. But we’re abiding by the FA.”
His mood was not helped by the news on Tom Cleverley’s ankle injury, with United facing losing the midfielder for another six weeks.
“It was worse than we thought,” Ferguson said. “When he came off against Everton he reported it as just tightness and a bit of pain. We have done further scans and we are going to have to give him a break until Christmas.”
