Kenny Dalglish: No racism problems at Liverpool - 7M sport

Kenny Dalglish: No racism problems at Liverpool



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Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011 by The Sun

Kenny Dalglish: No racism problems at Liverpool

KENNY DALGLISH has urged the FA to kickstart their probe into the Luis Suarez race row — to give his man the chance to prove his innocence.

Two weeks have elapsed since Patrice Evra alleged that the Liverpool striker racially abused him but an official inquiry is yet to get underway.

The FA insist they will take as long as they need before making a decision on their action.

Yet Kop boss Dalglish wants them to get the ball rolling and is convinced it is the only way Suarez can clear his name.

He insisted: "We've got a case going on which seems to be dragging its feet and we'd rather have it done and dusted.

"Whoever the guilty party is — the person who said it or the accuser — should get their due punishment, so we will look forward to a conclusion.

"The quicker these issues are dealt with, the better it is for everyone.

"It does not matter if it takes two months, Luis has got the full support of everyone. But the longer it goes on, the more disruptive it is.

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

"But the FA have not spoken to anybody here. It's strange, isn't it?"

The FA inquiry into allegations that John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand has seen many claim it is a problem creeping back into the modern game.

Yet Dalglish does not agree and said: "It has to be proved before you accuse. I don't think it's prevalent in the game here and certainly not at this club."

Suarez was making headlines of the right sort in midweek with his Carling Cup double at Stoke. And Dalglish reckons the reason the South American hitman adapted to the Premier League so quickly is partly down to having it tough in his early days.

As a teenager, Suarez left his native Uruguay for Groningen in Holland before making his name at Ajax.

Dalglish added: "Luis went to Holland as an 18-year-old, he was away from home, so I don't think it has been too easy for him.

"He's worked really hard to get to where he is, so he fully appreciates it and doesn't take anything for granted. Maybe that's why he has got his attitude, which is refreshing."

Suarez has also found himself in the firing line after claims from Manchester United and Everton that he goes to ground too easily.

Dalglish has already defended his striker against that accusation — yet there are now fears within Anfield that the Kop idol does not get the protection he deserves from referees.

He claimed: "I think kicks are part and parcel of the game of football, especially the style of play he has got as 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.

"That is fine – he just has to put up with that. But every player needs some form of protection and we don't expect any 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 doesn't want any favours or to be pre-judged either. The wee man just stands up and gets on with it.

"He accepts he is going to get kicked and it doesn't worry him one bit.

"In every game, you don't get every decision you think you should. But if you don't, play on. If nothing is given, play on.

"And it is wrong for anybody to have preconceived ideas about what is going to happen on a football pitch — ourselves included.

"It's hard enough for refs anyway but they need to referee what happens on that day, not what has happened six months before."



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