Luis Suarez has been involved in more than his fair share of controversial incidents over the years, but perhaps none so significant as his goal line handball in Uruguay‘s 2010 World Cup quarter-final with Ghana.
The Liverpool striker saved Stephen Appiah’s goal-bound shot late in extra time, effectively denying the Black Stars a place in the semi-final when Asamoah Gyan failed to convert the resulting penalty.
Suarez became a hero in his home nation for taking a selfless red card on behalf of his team. In the rest of the world, however, many viewed this act as contemptuous and dishonorable.
As England prepare to face Uruguay in a vital Group D match in Sao Paulo on Thursday, The Mirror have reminded us of the Uruguyan’s unrepentant viewpoint:
“For me I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said about his quarter-final show of gamesmanship four years ago.
“I sacrificed playing in a World Cup semi-final for my team-mates to have a chance to play in that game.
“Of course sportsmen should be role models. I’ve had some attributes on the field that weren’t very good for the image. But those weren’t really me – off the field I’m very shy.”
The implication that Suarez would have no qualms about pulling off another game-changing handball will surely send chills down the spines of England fans, who have suffered at the hand of a talismanic South American in this competition before…
Comments are closed.