Ferguson lambasts Suarez conduct

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Luis Suarez should never play for Liverpool again after refusing to shake Patrice Evra’s hand.

A brace from Wayne Rooney, before a late consolation from Suarez, handed United a 2-1 victory in a match that was overshadowed by the tension between Suarez and Evra at Old Trafford.

Suarez was fined and banned for eight matches after allegedly racially abusing the United left-back in October, and the Uruguayan refused to shake Evra’s hand in the customary pre-match exchange on Saturday.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Ferguson told Sky Sports after the match. “I just could not believe it.”

“I had a chat with Patrice this morning and he said ‘I’m going to shake his hand. I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of and I want to keep my dignity.’ And then he (Suarez) refuses – he’s a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club.”

“That certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. With the history that club has got, and he does that in this city today – he could have caused a riot.”

“I was really disappointed in that guy. It was terrible what he did. It created a tension – you’ve seen the referee, he didn’t know what to do about it.”

“It caught him off-guard, and it was a terrible start to the game. There was a terrible atmosphere created.”

A scuffle reportedly broke out between both sets of players outside the dressing rooms during the half-time interval, with police intervention required.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said he was unaware Suarez had declined to shake Evra’s hand.

“I never knew he never shook his hand,” the Scot told Sky Sports.

“I’ll take your word for it, but I don’t know. I wasn’t there. I never saw it. That is contrary to what I was told.”

Dalglish, whose side conceded twice in four minutes earlier in the second half, said it was wrong to hold Suarez responsible for what transpired in Manchester.

“I think you are very severe and are bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today,” he said.