Luis Suarez rejects Patrice Evra handshake before Liverpool & Manchester United players brawl in Old Trafford tunnel

The race row looks set to rumble on after the Uruguayan blanked the Red Devils captain at Old Trafford and the argumented continued off the pitch at half-time

11 Feb 2012 13:59:00

More On :  Liverpool, Manchester United, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Luis Suárez
EPL, Patrice Evra; Phil Dowd, Manchester United vs Liverpool
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Luis Suarez refused to shake Patrice Evra's hand ahead of Liverpool's clash with Manchester United, completely ignoring the defender and instead shaking the hand of United goalkeeper David de Gea. Rio Ferdinand was also involved in the incident, refusing to offer his hand to Suarez when he passed as the much-hyped game got off to a bad-tempered start.
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There was more to come too, as after a feisty but goalless first half both sets of players were then reportedly embroiled in a bust-up at the break. According to Sky Sports Evra attempted to talk to Suarez but was prevented from doing so by Martin Skrtel which then prompted a brawl involving players, stewards and police.

The clash was the first time that Evra and Suarez have come face-to-face since the race row began following the reverse tie at Anfield last October, after which Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing the Red Devils' skipper and banned for eight games.

The home fans booed Suarez from the start, with the away supporters doing the same for Evra, in  a hostile atmosphere at Old Trafford.

United eventually won the game 2-1 courtesy of two goals by Wayne Rooney, with Suarez grabbing a late consolation for the visitors. However, there was still more controversy to come at the end of the match with Evra celebrating wildly at the final whistle, close to Suarez and being ushered away by the referee.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Who do you think of the events at Old Trafford? Was Suarez wrong in refusing to shake Evra's hand? Yes? No? Do pre-match handshakes matter at all? Vote for your choice in our poll below.

 

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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 11 Feb 2012 to 12 Feb 2012
Poll runs from 11 Feb 2012 to 12 Feb 2012
Was Luis Suarez wrong in refusing to shake Evra's hand?
Yes
 
63.21%
No
 
30.53%
Doesn't matter, pre-match handshakes should be scrapped
 
6.26%
 
 
 
 
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