Photo by ISIphotos.com
By JOHN BOSCHINI
The fallout and reaction from Luis Suarez' handshake snub of Patrice Evra continues a couple of days after the latest incident between the Liverpool striker and Manchester United fullback.
Suarez issued a brief written apology for not shaking Patrice Evra's hand prior to Liverpool's loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, but lingering tensions between the two camps makes it unlikely that the situation is anything close to being put in the past.
The Uruguayan striker, who was banned eight matches for racially abusing the French defender, had reportedly told Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish that he would shake Evra's hand. The snub was a sour beginning to what turned out to be a testy affair.
Suarez apologized Sunday in a statement released through the club saying "I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realize I got things wrong. 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."
Sir Alex Ferguson had added strong words to the conversation in his post-match comments, in which he blasted Suarez for his actions.
"Suarez is a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club," Ferguson told reporters. "That player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. It could have caused a riot. I was Âreally disappointed in that guy. For a club with their history, I’d get rid of him, I really would."
The Scottish manager did speak out against Evra's exuberant celebration in front of Suarez after the match calling it "a mistake." Dalglish, who skipped his usual postgame press conference, said his player was "bang out of order" and Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre derided his player's actions, saying they were "unacceptable."
The Professional Footballer's Association got involved with chief executive Gordon Taylor calling on Liverpool's American owners from Fenway Sports Group to intervene. Even British Prime Minister David Cameron is considering taking action to stem the hostility.
According to reports, the FA is not going to sanction either Manchester United or Liverpool for what happened, but that doesn't mean potential negative consequences don't linger. Liverpool jersey sponsor Standard Chartered entered into discussions with the club in the aftermath of Saturday's actions to convey the company's disappointment.
Here are some more stories to kick off your week:
WOLVES SACK MCCARTHY
Mick McCarthy is out as manager of Wolverhampton.
The Irish manager was shown the exit after Wolverhampton's humiliating 5-1 home loss to West Brom, ending his five-and-a-half-year spell at the helm of the club.
After picking up only 14 points in the last 22 matches, there was serious discontent among the Wolves faithful. The club's next game is against high-flying Newcastle on Feb. 25 and former West Ham boss, Alan Curbishley, has been tipped as the favorite to succeed McCarthy at Wolves. Curbishley has said he would be open to the job should Wolves express interest.
TEVEZ ON BRINK OF CITY RETURN
About £1.2 million in fines and nearly as many headlines later, Carlos Tevez looks set to return to Manchester City tomorrow.
The Argentinian striker has been AWOL for the better part of the season, after initially failing to come on as a substitute in the club's Champions League loss to Bayern Munich earlier in the season.
Tevez has since been fined multiple times, reprimanded by the club and shopped around by City in an effort to move the troubled player on, but nothing has lined up and now he is faced with making peace with Roberto Mancini. Tevez had initially launched an appeal to the Premier League about his situation in Manchester, but he reportedly willing to drop the appeal and help the club move in on a coveted EPL title.
Tevez is flying back to England from Argentina today to engage in talks with Mancini.
HERTHA BERLIN FIRE SKIBBE
Michael Skibbe's has been fired as manager of Hertha Berlin following a 5-0 trouncing by Stuttgart. Skibbe's reign as manager lasted only five games, losing all five by a combined margin of 12-1 and Berlin now find themselves only two points clear of the relegation zone.
Berlin, which is home to U.S. international Alfredo Morales, will likely turn to a youth-team coach while they search for their third manager of the season. Morales had started each of the club's last three games under Skibbe.
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What action, if any, should be taken against Suarez? Did Wolves and Hertha Berlin make the right calls in firing their managers? Does Tevez have a chance of a smooth transition back into the City side?
Share your thoughts below.