Suarez

This is similar to the Alcaraz spitting incident.

Roberto Martinez said that in South American countries the culture is different and he doesn't understand. Basically, he's saying that in Uruguay it's not considered disgusting to spit at someone, but somehow I don't think Alcaraz meant it as a friendly gesture.

Suarez's defence was that in Uruguay it is acceptable to use the terms that are not here. Funny, it's also acceptable to dive and cheat in South America.

The issue is not that there are cultural differences, it's that South Americans are wrong and need to learn some respect. We could all be politically correct to prove a point about this issue but South American countries are backward if that is how things are.

I'm glad we live in England where the majority believe in equality and justice. We don't sweep unacceptable things under the carpet as a nation, especially as a sporting one (lets not forget the FIFA votes either).

That said, you can make too much of a meal of things. As much as I like to see people like Suarez and Terry (neither of which were likeable before this) get shamed and have the book thrown at them, I don't think Evra and Ferdinand have suffered any major emotional scars from something as impersonal as racism. If they were really that offended and angered they'd have reacted shortly after the incident.

I'm not going to say they should all shake hands and get on with it like Sepp Blatter, but they should say something back about his mother or, failing that, make it so his jaw has to be wired shut for a period of time. Going about it this way is a bit pathetic.

*Basically, he's saying that in Paraguay it's not considered disgusting to spit at someone

I meant

My own opinion on this is that there are NO excuses for what has been said. Regardless of whether or not the person causing the offence believes they were wrong or right or can justify what they said by blaiming the culture they have come from. What it all comes down to is that's it's not acceptable in this country and will not be tolerated. South Americans should accept this and any other nationalities that think otherwise should accept this.

Respect the country you are in regardless of your beliefs and you will have no problems.
It annoys me more that players blame there culture rather than themselves for making mistakes, rather than their own ignorance and lack of bothering to look into our way of life.

Uruguayan captain states that we must have a problem with racism.
Uruguayan manager states that we don't understand how the rest of the world works.
Uruguay assists Argentina with sabre-rattling over the Falklands.

Have we done something terrible to Uruguay recently that I've missed?

There is no justification for what Suarez said and he has to accept the punishment given to him. It may be acceptable in Uruguay to make racist remarks and brush them off as being 'cultural' but not in the UK. We are proud of our multi-cultural, ethnic country and there is no place for any racist comments. If people like Suarez and Poyet cannot except that this country does not tolerate racism IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM then maybe they should go somewhere where they can get away with making those sort of remarks.

I'm also very disappointed with the way Liverpool have come and tried to make excuses for him. I can't work out whether they believe Evra is lying and the FA (who I am by no means a fan of) are anti-Liverpool, etc, or they know he did say something racist, but excuse him due to his nationality. Either way it is unacceptable, and to be weraing 'Suarez 7' shirts when Suarez has been found guilty of such an offence is disrespectful and antagonising. I have always respected Liverpool F.C. and I believe they are one of the most proud and respected clubs in this country. But the way they have reacted to this leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

I really don't buy the cultural differences argument.

It might be culturally acceptable in your own country to stand n@ked in the town square having a J Arthur, but you wouldn't try it somewhere else, where it wouldn't be tolerated.

If you're not aware that it wouldn't be tolerated, then maybe you're just stupid.

I'm pleased he's getting his just desserts. Never liked him since the World Cup match against Ghana.

In regard to John Terry, I'm not a fan and find him less than pleasant, but there is talk of him being stripped of the captaincy or even dropped from England because he's been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence - have I missed the law being changed to "guilty until proven innocent"?

^
I think in Terry's case he's proven over the years that this is a fair assumption.

"South American countries are backward"

Hmm. Any minute now no doubt we'll get round to "casual racism and lazy generalisations are just what you'd expect from them hispanics".

Putting the 'racism' aspects to one side, and talking of the Uruguayans, I recall they were a fine example of sportsmanship in the 1966 World Cup, particularly against West Germany at Hillsborough.