Suarez whips up racism row

By Steve Douglas

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Feb. 12 2012 6:30 a.m. MST

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Manchester United's Patrice Evra, center, celebrates alongside Liverpool's Luis Suarez after Manchester United's 2-1 win over their Merseyside rivals following their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.

Jon Super, Associated Press

Summary

The head of English football's players' union has urged Liverpool's American owners to mop up the "festering mess" left by Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra.

LONDON — The head of English football's players' union has urged Liverpool's American owners to mop up the "festering mess" left by Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra.

Suarez's latest spat with Evra in Saturday's high-profile match between Liverpool and Manchester United ensured the racism row that has engulfed English football this season intensified, and further damaged Liverpool's reputation.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, says Suarez's conduct was "disrespectful, inappropriate and embarrassing" and believes the Fenway Sports Group — which bought out Liverpool in 2010 — needed to discipline the striker.

PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle says Suarez's "stupid snub has exacerbated things."

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