Brendan Rodgers has torn into Luis Suarez after he
admitted diving in an attempt to win
a penalty earlier this season, describing the Uruguayan’s
actions as ‘not acceptable’.
The Liverpool manager stopped short of fining his striker
but insisted he will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines the
club. ‘It was wrong to say what he said,’ said Rodgers. ‘It was not
acceptable. This club has always kept its matters in house and
that’s what we will do. But diving is not something we advocate
here.’
The Northern Irishman spoke to Suarez (right) at the
training ground after his admission that he dived to try to win a
penalty against Stoke. Rodgers considered fining Suarez for
his ill-judged words on ESPN Argentina — a two-week sanction
would have cost him £200,000 — but decided against it even though
there was precedent when Everton manager David Moyes fined Phil
Neville after he was booked for diving during the Merseyside derby
in October.
The FA are aware of Suarez’s comments but are unlikely to
take the matter further.
Given the consistent backing he has been given by his
club this season, his decision to give such a candid
interview has embarrassed Liverpool and Rodgers does not want the
episode to come back and haunt his side.
‘It’s been difficult for us this season with regards to
penalties,’ added Rodgers. ‘We’ve only had one. The team always
goes into every game looking to win in the best possible way with a
sporting manner and we don’t want that to change.
‘But this situation might affect people’s thinking. I’m not
saying it will do, but it could do. It might make people
think twice about things and that’s certainly something we
don’t want. The team puts maximum effort into the game and I
wouldn’t want second thoughts going into anybody’s mind.
‘I’ve spoken to Luis on it. I’m not sure it makes a big
difference if we are saying he is fined one week’s, two weeks’ or
four weeks’ wages.
‘This is a big club, bigger than anyone and whatever people
say goes around the world. It certainly doesn’t help him but, more
importantly, it doesn’t help the team.
The game against Stoke on October 6, in which Suarez
admitted diving, ended in controversy, with Tony Pulis lambasting
him for his theatrics and Rodgers defending the former Ajax striker
after he was stamped on by Stoke defender Robert
Huth.
‘In fairness to him, most players wait until the end of their
careers when they are writing their books to put it in,’ said
Rodgers. ‘He has been honest enough to come out and say it in the
middle of his career.
‘It’s something in the game that we are trying to clean up.
My feeling as the manager of this club is that it (the dive) was
wrong.
‘I don’t think I’ve been put in a difficult position. I’ve
only ever called it honestly. I have defended him when I feel it is
right and will continue to do that. Luis and I have a strong
relationship and he understands that and knows that. I don’t feel
let down, I’ll just call it like it is. I said at the time it was
the wrong thing to do. I need to protect the club and the group and
if anything puts that in jeopardy I will deal with that. Luis is
aware of my feelings.’
Controversy: Suarez made headlines this month when he
handled the ball at Mansfield
Ex-Premier League official and Sportsmail columnist Graham Poll has
called on the FA to reprimand Liverpool's striker following last
night's startling confession.
Poll said: 'Brendan Rodgers has said that Suarez is unfairly
victimised but even he will struggle to plead his star striker's
innocence after these quotes.'
'The name of Suarez should certainly attract papers now –
those from the FA disciplinary department.
'Liverpool fans will, of course, claim victimisation once
again but now that Suarez has confirmed what most outside of the
red half of Merseyside have asserted all along even the most
diehard must accept that their No 7 must be charged.'
