Luis Suarez Patrice Evra Handshake Incident 11-02-2012
Reaction: Evra grabs Suarez's arm after his attempt to shake the striker's hand was refused
Snub: Evra, who had previously stated he would have been willing to shake Suarez's hand, is given the cold shoulder by the Liverpool striker
Race row footballer Luis Suarez today apologised for refusing to shake the hand of Patrice Evra before Manchester United's ill-tempered match with Liverpool yesterday.
The Uruguayan striker had come face-to-face with Evra at Old Trafford yesterday for the first time since his eight-match ban for racially abusing the United captain last October.
But one day after being branded a 'disgrace' for not shaking Evra's hand, Suarez, 25, issued an apology on Liverpool's website saying he let down 'the manager, the club and what it stands for'.
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Tension: Uruguayan Suarez, left, avoids Evra's handshake offer as the racism row between the two sides refused to die down
'I made a mistake and regret what happened': Race row footballer Luis Suarez apologises for not shaking racial abuse victim's hand at Premier League clash
The apology from Suarez was issued after it emerged that the striker had told club officials he would shake Evra's hand before the game, only to go back on his word just before kick-off.
Liverpool's Managing Director Ian Ayre said today that Suarez 'had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.
Mr Ayre's added in his own statement: '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 teammates and the Club.
'It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.
'Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club.'
Later, after United’s ill-tempered 2-1 win, emotions spilled over into violence as the players made their way back to the dressing room.
Anger: Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, walks off for half time during the match. He branded Suarez a 'disgrace'
Looking as if he intended to confront Suarez, Evra found his path to the Uruguayan blocked by Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
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