Many Ghanaians are still bitter about how the Black Stars crushed out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa and one man who shattered the Black Stars’ dream at the quarter final stage was Uruguay’s Luis Alberto Suarez.
The Uruguay striker has been embroiled in a number of incidents over the years,including racism scandals, biting scandals, diving scandals, but there was one moment during the 2010 World Cup that marked him out to some as a cheat.
A handball on the goal-line by Luis Suarez prevented Ghana’s Dominic Adiyiah from scoring in the last minute and Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty, with Uruguay triumphing in the shoot-out to make the World Cup semifinal.
Asamoah Gyan (remember him?) stepped up to take the penalty, having already netted two during the tournament. As Suarez watched from the tunnel, Gyan skimmed the top of the bar, taking the game to extra time.Without Suarez, the 10 men of Uruguay battled to penalties, and edged out the spot kicks, scoring four to Ghana’s two.
Being interviewed by his team-mate Gerard Pique in The Player’s Tribune, Suarez was asked about the goalmouth handball, and how he felt after being sent off. He answered frankly, “Yes, the truth is, it was a bit of everything — of being depressed, of being sad, of being sent off. Because we were going to lose, but if they weren’t scoring that goal we weren’t going to lose, and … well, you get up within 30 seconds when he takes the penalty kick, the satisfaction of … of … well, I took a risk in a situation of which I have been blamed for anti fair play. However, the Ghana player missing the penalty is not my fault.”
He continued, “I didn’t kick anyone or anything like that, that’s why I think that I celebrated like that, for having taken a risk for something that was worth it. And I remember that I celebrated it more than a goal. A teammate on the bench passed out on that play, hahaha.”
source: GHANAsoccernet.com
