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'Why the hell did I do that?': Brendan Rodgers furious after Luis Suarez admits diving

Liverpool striker admits underhand methods in attempt to win spot-kick against Stoke because 'we needed anything to win it'

Simon Rice
Thursday 17 January 2013 15:40 GMT
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Brendan Rodgers has reacted furiously after Luis Suarez admitted to “falling” in an attempt to win a penalty.

The Liverpool striker, who has been accused of being a serial diver, was referring to an incident that occurred against Stoke earlier this season.

Suarez did not win a penalty for his side during the match against Stoke, however after the game Tony Pulis called the forward "an embarrassment". Jim Boyce, Britain's representative on Fifa, described Suarez's dive as "nothing less than cheating", adding that simulation was a "cancer" in the game. Everton manager David Moyes has also spoken publicly about Suarez's actions.

Liverpool manager Rodgers has regularly been called upon to defend the 26-year-old, claiming the striker is an honest player. But the former Ajax player, who seems a magnet for controversy, has now admitted to using simulation in an attempt to gain an advantage.

The striker told Fox Sports Argentina: "Football is like that. Sometimes you do things on the field that later you think 'why the hell did I do that?'

"I was accused of falling inside the box in a match, and it's true I did it that time, because we were drawing against Stoke at home and we needed anything to win it.

"But after that everybody jumped out to talk - the Stoke coach, and the Everton coach... I understood that the name Suarez sells (papers)."

Rodgers is furious with Suarez's admission and the player seems likely to be punished.

"I think it is wrong. It is unacceptable. I have spoken to Luis and it will be dealt with internally," said Rodgers.

"[Diving] is not something we advocate. Our ethics are correct."

After speaking with Suarez today, Rodgers added: "He has been totally understanding on where I am coming from as manager of the club.

"What was said was wrong, he takes that and we move on."

During the interview, Suarez also talked about the recent incident in which he handled the ball in the build-up to his goal against non-league Mansfield in the FA Cup.

He said: "The other day a ball hit my hand with no intention at all, and everybody criticised me because I kissed my wrist. Suarez sells.

"That's why they also talk about Suarez having a chat in secret with (Sebastian) Coates in front of (Steven) Gerrard. They make up anything. Everybody should do what they have to do, to talk about football and not anything else."

Suarez also believes foreign players are treated differently in England.

He said: "It's tough. As Carlitos (Carlos Tevez) and Kun (Sergio Aguero) said, the foreigners, and even more the South Americans, receive different treatment than the local ones.

"It's a cultural thing. They have different behaviours. What we have to do is play football, do what we know, what we've always desired. We fought to be here, and suffered a lot to be here. We shouldn't listen to any nonsense they say now."

Meanwhile, Suarez insisted his conscience was "completely calm" following the race row with Manchester United's Patrice Evra, which saw the Uruguayan banned for eight games and fined £40,000, and reiterated his claim that the Red Devils controlled the media.

"If someone comes to me and insults me, saying I'm South American, I won't start to cry," he added. "It's something that happens on the field - football things. My conscience is completely calm.

"As I said, United handle the press here. They have a lot of power and they always help them. If I listen to what the people say, I wouldn't be here or play football. If I listen what one or another says, it's very tough.

"I don't forget that I have a family and a daughter, and, no matter what happens during the day, when I get home I have a huge happiness and nothing else matters."

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