Luis Suárez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra will forever overshadow the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool on Saturday.
Suárez was making his first start for Liverpool since returning from an eight-match suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra in the reverse meeting between the two clubs back in October.
Much of the pre-match build-up had centred around whether the two players would shake hands, with Suárez declining the opportunity.
Evra offered his hand to Suárez but the former Ajax Amsterdam striker bypassed the Frenchman and went straight to goalkeeper David de Gea.
The United captain did not accept that and grabbed Suárez by the arm before the Uruguayan's offer of a handshake was snubbed by Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand.
"After seeing what I saw I decided not to shake his hand," Ferdinand told MUTV.
"He's not got the respect that he needs to have in these situations and acknowledge he's made a mistake and say sorry. I lost all respect for the guy after that."
It set the tone for a game between old club rivals which required no stoking and football played a largely secondary role in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
As well as the handshake controversy, the two sets of players reportedly clashed in the Old Trafford tunnel at half-time before Liverpool players reacted angrily to Evra's celebrations at the full-time whistle.
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| Patrice Evra reacts after Luis Suárez ignored his handshake Photo: Reuters |
Suárez was making his first start for Liverpool since returning from an eight-match suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra in the reverse meeting between the two clubs back in October.
Much of the pre-match build-up had centred around whether the two players would shake hands, with Suárez declining the opportunity.
Evra offered his hand to Suárez but the former Ajax Amsterdam striker bypassed the Frenchman and went straight to goalkeeper David de Gea.
The United captain did not accept that and grabbed Suárez by the arm before the Uruguayan's offer of a handshake was snubbed by Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand.
"After seeing what I saw I decided not to shake his hand," Ferdinand told MUTV.
"He's not got the respect that he needs to have in these situations and acknowledge he's made a mistake and say sorry. I lost all respect for the guy after that."
It set the tone for a game between old club rivals which required no stoking and football played a largely secondary role in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
As well as the handshake controversy, the two sets of players reportedly clashed in the Old Trafford tunnel at half-time before Liverpool players reacted angrily to Evra's celebrations at the full-time whistle.
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
