Soccer:Patrice Evra has told Alex Ferguson he wants to pursue his allegation of racism against Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Evra was fuming after Manchester United's 1-1 draw at Anfield, claiming that Suarez had racially abused him on a number of occasions during the game.
Although the full-back feels television replays will prove his claims, Suarez has denied them strongly, and has been backed by Liverpool. Ferguson has sought Evra out for a chat ahead of United’s Champions League encounter with Otelul Galati in Romania tomorrow.
And the response was unequivocal. “I spoke to Patrice today. He is adamant he wants to follow it on,” said Ferguson.
The controversy came at the end of a game which Ferguson was pleased to report had otherwise passed off without incident.
Prior to Saturday lunchtime’s clash, the United boss had urged his club’s supporters not to stand during the game, and then pleaded with fans of both sides not to abuse their opponents over the Munich and Hillsborough tragedies respectively.
“It is not an easy one for us,” said Ferguson. “Everyone knows Manchester United and Liverpool have great responsibilities in terms of things that happen on the field.
“Saturday was terrific. Both sets of fans were good. There was not any of that silly chanting we have had in previous years. Both sets of fans deserve praise for that. It is not something we would want to level against Liverpool and it is not against Liverpool.
“Obviously Patrice feels very aggrieved at what was said to him. It rests in the hands of the FA now.”
The English FA has begun making enquiries after the allegations were brought to the attention of match referee Andre Marriner.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)