Suarez Says 'Sorry' For Evra Handshake Snub

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has apologised for not shaking Patrice Evra's hand before his team's match against Manchester United on Saturday.

In a statement on Liverpool FC's website, he said: "I have spoken with the manager (Kenny Dalgliesh) since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong.

"I've not only let him down, but also the Club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.

"I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

Ahead of Saturday's game at Old Trafford, defender Evra offered his hand to Suarez as the two teams shared pre-match handshakes, but was ignored by the striker.

Apparently angered by the snub, Evra grabbed the Liverpool player's arm but was quickly brushed off.

Uruguayan Suarez was then blanked by United's Rio Ferdinand, who in turn refused to shake his hand.

The club's managing director Ian Ayre has also released a statement criticising Suarez's actions.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: "We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game.

"The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.

"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra.

"He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his teammates and the club."

After Saturday's game, Sir Alex Ferguson branded Suarez a "a disgrace" and said the snub "could have caused a riot".

But Kenny Dalglish said it was "bang out of order" to blame his striker for "anything that happened here today".

However, the Liverpool has now backed Suarez's apology, saying: "Ian Ayre has made the club's position absolutely clear and it is right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at Old Trafford.

"To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.

"But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this Club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.

"When I went on TV after yesterday's game I hadn't seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I'd like to apologise for that."

:: Click through the gallery below for more pictures of the exchange