Roberto Mancini feels Luis Suarez should have offered an unreserved apology for his racial abuse of United star Patrice Evra.
And, as City tonight square up to Liverpool – who are without Suarez as he serves an eight-match ban for the offence – the Blues boss also felt Kenny Dalglish and his team made a mistake in wearing T-shirts in support of their teammate.
The City boss said that in 20 years as a player, he had many extreme verbal exchanges with opponents, but had never used racist language.
Asked what was the worst thing said to him on a football pitch, the City boss smiled and said: “Everything! In 20 years, everything. But I understand.
“I didn’t cry for this on the pitch because I repeat I have my opinion that on the pitch everything can happen because you don’t think, because you are tired, because you are stupid, because you are young, for many reasons.
“I said some things myself, but not important things like racist words.”
Mancini was prepared to give Suarez the benefit of the doubt over the incident, in which Suarez used the word “negro” in conversations with Evra during a match in October.
Suarez was charged with misconduct by the FA and ended up being handed a £40,000 fine and an eight-match ban.
Liverpool decided not to appeal the punishment hours before City beat them in a league clash at the Etihad Stadium last week, meaning Suarez missed that game, and will be absent for tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg and the second leg in a fortnight.
But Mancini felt that Suarez possibly used racial abuse in the heat of battle, rather than due to any racist bent.
He said: “I think that sometimes it can happen on the pitch, a situation like this.
It is important to apologise for what you did.
“Sometimes on the pitch you can do something you don’t want to do, because you are nervous, you don’t think.
“I don’t think Suarez is a racist. I think he made a mistake, probably, yes. Everyone can make a mistake sometimes.
“It is impossible that we are always perfect. It is important to say ‘I am sorry, I made a mistake, I apologise for this’ and accept the charge.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Dalglish insists the team’s show of support for Suarez had been “wrongly interpreted” as he defended the club’s record on race relations.
His players wore T-shirts in support of the Uruguayan as they warmed up to play Wigan before Christmas, just after the punishment had been handed down.
Since then, the club have apologised to Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi after he was allegedly the subject of racist abuse by a supporter at Anfield during an FA Cup tie last Friday night.
A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Adeyemi was released on bail on Sunday.
The head of European football’s anti-racism group FARE, Piara Powar, accused Liverpool of creating a “tribal fervour” with their reaction to the Suarez affair, but Dalglish felt the sentiment behind the T-shirt gesture had been misunderstood.
He said: “The players showed support for Luis which was fantastic, but then some people interpreted that wrongly as the players saying they’re not interested in the fight against racism.
“That is totally rubbish. If we can help to eradicate racism or discrimination then that help will be forthcoming.
“We don’t want racism anywhere near football and certainly not anywhere near this football club.”
On the subject of the alleged abuse towards Adeyemi, Dalglish said: “If Tom, the police want any help in any way, shape or form then we’ll give it to them.
“For me, the most important thing is that as a football club we all stick together.”
The Scot does not believe Liverpool would have the worldwide support they do if they were seen as being racists.
He said: “Our football club is based on serving the community – whoever is in the community we will treat as equal.
“The football club is more important than any individual, whether that person be a supporter, a player or the owner.”
Roberto Mancini: Luis Suarez should have said sorry to Patrice Evra
January 11, 2012
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..I still believe that Evra would have pursued the matter because Baconface is far too clever-he saw an opportunity to make the Red Bin Dippers sweat and he will have encouraged Evra to pursue the matter....if he did not want it pursued then Evra would have shut up.....just like he said that Vinny had got away with two foot tackles a number of times....Baconface has been the most successful because is capable of taking maximum advantage out of every situation...
Not sure why anyone should spend their time writing this article, it's an irrelevance. I've just watched the interview with Mancini on the City website and despite what is being inferrred in the MEN + Daily Mail (which suggests his comments will motivate Liverpool) Mancini was not critical of Suarez or Liverpool. He said that if someone makes a mistake it's important to apologise and when asked if he would have allowed the T Shirt protest he said 'maybe'.
Can we have an article on the injury situation please, especially rumours that Silva may be out for several weeks.
I take my hat off to you Roberto... you are a gentleman!
Intelligent men apologise.
Not sure why we need to comment on other clubs/players etc ...we should be above all tha nonsense.
Give over the lot of you! you are beginning to sound like that idiot Fergo. Apologise for what? apparently Evra slagged off Suerez'ssister at the same time as the incident.
It was six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Get a grip of yourself Blues you are beginning to sound like 'Rags'.
... and Roberto Mancini should have apologised to Tevez for accusing him publicly of refusing to play (rather than warm up) in Munich!
Bobby Manc trying to stir things up nicely but really shouldn't comment on what has been a poorly handled situation.
Although reporters often sniff a story and concentrate on a juicy bit of an interview, you have to say that Mancini has made one of the most sensible statements on the subject that I have seen. When Liverpool 'lost' the argument with the FA, they should have immediately issued a statement apologising to Evra (even if tongue in cheek), condemning racism in any form and reiterating that Luis Suarez is no racist and his words were 'heat of moment', 'out of context' etc etc. Instead, Liverpool chose to adopt a spirited defence of the indefencible and came out of it looking badly. Had they followed Mancini's path, the furore would be history......
Sincerely hope Suarez gives Evra a Liverpool kiss on 11 February to make up.
Two minutes from the end with a 3 (all Suarez) nil lead.
A real smacker!
An insincere apology is worse than no apology at all. IF someone has to be TOLD to appologise, the words may be uttered but the soul burns indignantly. Remember Mike Gatting's (appology) to the the umpire in a test match in India, On a screwed up bit of paper, forced by the authorities, Whilst it was obvious to all Mike was about to explode with frustration. Personally if I ever made comments and truely thought I was in the right I would NEVER EVER appologise.All this doesn't mean that I condome racialism or any other form of ism. All I am saying that if an appology isn't sincere then why bother.
NO FAN OF MAN CITY, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I HATE CITY AS A FOOTBALL CLUB, BUT ONE CAN'T HELP BUT ADMIT THAT MANCINI AND KOMPANY ARE VERY NICE, HONEST AND CLASSY MEN. WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME ABOUT SOME CITY FANS ON HERE.