Premier League Nonsense

He was absolutely right to offer to shake the Uruguayan's hand before the game as well. Suarez brush off won him no admirers while Evra showed magnanimity.

But once the game started Evra showed himself as a no class player. His attempted lunge for the ball in the first minute nobbled team mate Rio Ferdinand for a few moments. But only because Suarez, the intended target, pulled back at the last moment. There was a definite intent in that challenge to harm Suarez, the way the Frenchman leaped in was all to plain.

But that incident has been overlooked. Evra it seemed had allowed his being a victim to trump every other rationale and everyone seems to accept that logic.

There was more to come. With the final whistle Evra jumping round like a school girl who has been voted head of the class right in front of Suarez was pathetic and incendiary. He was provoking Suarez, goading him into a reaction.

Suarez is now probably finished in England. Racists need to know they have no place in our game. But the reactions of Evra once the game started cannot be blithely excused by pointing to his victimhood. What if Wayne Bridge had lamped John Terry?

Evra showed class before the game with the offered hand shake. That class evaporated once the whistle blew.