Liverpool FC boss Kenny Dalglish wants FA to get on with Luis Suarez racism inquiry

by Ian Doyle, DPW WestOct 29 2011

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/spo...681440/#.TqvPFDyjSX0

KENNY DALGLISH wants the FA to kickstart their probe into Luis Suarez – and has urged referees to clamp down on opponents eager to boot the Uruguayan out of the game.

The FA have yet to speak to Liverpool striker Suarez over claims from Patrice Evra that he racially abused the Manchester United defender during the Anfield clash earlier this month.

Suarez, who has also been accused of diving in some quarters, vehemently denies the allegations and is being given the full backing of his club.

And Dalglish believes the issue has gone unresolved for too long and wants the striker to be able to clear his name as soon as possible.

“The quicker these issues are dealt with, the better it is for everybody,” said the Liverpool manager. “It does not matter if it takes two months, Luis Suarez has got the full support of everybody.

“But the longer it goes on, the more disruptive it is. I don’t think it really helps anybody.

“If it is as clear-cut an accusation as everybody says it is, then let’s get it done and dealt with. And let’s make sure the person who is in the wrong gets punished, whether it's the person who said it or the accuser.

“But the FA have not spoken to anybody here. It’s strange, isn’t it, if there’s not a better word to use than that.

“I don't think racism is prevalent in the game here, and it certainly isn't at this football club.

“Luis is a great ambassador for the football club. For us, as well as his football, the other things he brings to the club are very important as well.

“He is just a fantastic person as well as a fantastic footballer.”

Nevertheless, Dalglish is concerned the negative publicity surrounding Suarez is starting to influence referees’ treatment of the Uruguay international.

Suarez was not awarded a single free-kick in last week’s 1-1 home draw against Norwich City and was subject to some rough treatment in the midweek Carling Cup win at Stoke City.

The 24-year-old, who scored both Liverpool goals in a 2-1 win at the Britannia, hobbled off in the closing moments and is a doubt for this evening’s Premier League trip to West Bromwich Albion.

“He has had a bit of treatment,” said Dalglish. “He has had a tough time recently, so we'll see how he is.

“I think kicks are part and parcel of the game of football, especially the style of play he has got. He goes and commits you.

“If he is faster than you, you can be making a legitimate challenge for the ball but you catch him, then that is fine – he just has to put up with that.

“The wee man just gets up and gets on with it. He accepts he is going to get kicked and it does not worry him one bit.”

Dalglish added: “Every player needs some form of protection and we don’t expect any player to be treated any differently from any other person.

“But then he should not be suffering either because somebody comes out and makes an outrageous statement that maybe influences referees.

“He just wants to be treated exactly the same as every one of our players. He does not want any favours but he doesn’t want to be pre-judged either.

“It is wrong for anybody to have preconceived ideas about what is going to happen on a football pitch – ourselves included.

“It is hard enough for referees anyway but they need to referee what happens on that day, not what has happened six months before.”