International Football

Why Suarez won’t apologise for handball that sent Ghana crashing at 2010 World Cup

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez has explained why he won’t apologise to Ghana for his handball in a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal clash back in 2010 in South Africa.

Suarez claims it is not his fault that Asamoah Gyan failed to convert from the penalty spot.

The former Barcelona striker, Suarez was addressing the media at a press conference ahead of Uruguay’s first match against Ghana in over a decade on Friday evening in a group H clash at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

It will be the first official meeting between the two countries since 2010. He went on to say that he celebrated a missed penalty as if it were a goal.

Suarez has become a public enemy in Ghana since that game, and the Black Stars again Uruguay encounter has been hyped as a chance for vengeance. He also stated that he would apologise if he injured a player.

LUIZ SUAREZ EXPLAINS

Luiz Suarez’s handbal against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup

“The Ghana player missed a penalty not me, maybe I can apologise if I tackled and injured the player, maybe I can apologise,” he said.

“In this situation I take the red card, the ref says penalty. It’s not my fault because I don’t miss the penalty. It’s not my responsibility,” he said.

Several prominent Ghanaians including Gyan have warned against entering the game with a desire for vengeance.

Many people believe that the players should just play the game and not worry about the previous game.

Ghana enters the game knowing that a win over Uruguay, who have yet to win a game in the World Cup, will send them to the knockout stage.

In another group game, Portugal will face South Korea. It remains to be seen whether Uruguay is playing mind games by allowing Suarez to speak ahead of the game and provoke Ghanaians.

The Uruguayan will undoubtedly face a hostile reception from Ghanaians in the stadium.

Article compiled by Tlalane Phahla

RELATED STORY: Gyan warns Ghana to keep revenge out of equation against Uruguay

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