Sunday

Again, English hypocrisy at play regarding Liverpool's Luis Suarez

Defoe 'nibbles' Javier Mascherano
CC SPORTS DESK

Yes, it was inexcusable and appalling what Liverpool striker Luis Suarez did today, during the match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.

But wait a minute. Is what he did something that has never been seen before in the English Premier League?

Well, turns out Luis Suarez just happens to be a 'mere mortal' and as is characteristic of such, they are prone to a moment or two of sheer madness in their much traveled lives.

So then, turns out that seven years ago, Tottenham striker, Jermaine Defoe, was even more blatant when he reacted rather strangely (see the clip below @ 0:39 seconds) to a tackle from then West Ham United midfielder, Javier Mascherano by essentially biting him in the arm after the referee had blown for a foul in his (Defoe's) favor.

Guess what the English FA did to Jermaine Defoe? You guessed it..... absolutely nothing! Worse still, listen to the English commentator assert that Mascherano had "most certainly made the most of it".... seemingly playing down Defoe's disgraceful conduct.

Luis Suarez does have a history (but what gifted player doesn't in this day and age), but it smells of the highest form of hypocrisy for the English media to be quick to crucify Suarez when they have in the past enabled thugs like Joey Barton among others.

Yes, Luis Suarez should probably be punished (although Jermaine Defoe was not), but please halt the "lynching and proverbial burning at the stake" as Suarez is merely a young man who needs direction.

If Jermaine Defoe can go on to feature for Tottenham for another seven years (and counting), while also wearing the famed "Three Lions" jersey quite a few times, then there is hope for Luis Suarez and other talented players who "don't quite fit the mode" as the English would want it.

Again, it is important to note here that no one is justifying Suarez's behavior, but just like everything the English FA has done has essentially amounted to either a misguided over-reach or not actually going far enough (the John Terry punishment for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand comes to mind), one can expect them to overreact in this case as well, just to please the English media's cravings for blood.

Expect Luis Suarez to be charged and the book thrown at him.