MONTEVIDEO: Liverpool star Luis Suarez has admitted diving in an English Premier League match against Stoke in October in an attempt to win a penalty but also complained that foreign players were treated differently.
Suarez hit the headlines for a theatrical fall in the 0-0 draw at Anfield when he was challenged by Stoke defender Marc Wilson in an unsuccessful attempt to win a second-half penalty.
FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce was moved to describe Suarez’s tumble as “cheating,” adding that the tendency for players to easily fall to the ground was a “cancer” in the game.
Suarez has been accused several times of diving and the October incident left Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers scrambling to the Uruguay international’s defense, blasting what he termed the “vilification” of one of his star players.
“I was criticized for trying to win a penalty by falling in a match against Stoke,” Suarez told Fox Sports Argentina. “It’s true I fell because we were drawing against Stoke at home and we needed to do something.” “But afterwards, the coaches of Stoke, Everton, all of them, came forward. I came to realize that the name of Suarez was a (newspaper) seller.” Suarez hit the headlines again earlier this month when he handled the ball prior to scoring Liverpool’s winning goal in their 2-1 victory at non-league Mansfield Town in the FA Cup.
“The other day, a ball hit my hand without me meaning it to,” he said. “I kissed my wrist and everyone started rounding on me.”
Suarez admits diving against Stoke
Suarez admits diving against Stoke
