Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez says he will not apologise to Ghana after his actions in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.
The ex- Reds striker was involved in a controversial incident during the quarter-final against Ghana in the competition in South Africa 12 years ago. Suarez is preparing to face Ghana once again on Friday in their final World Cup group game in Qatar.
Back in 2010, Uruguay faced Ghana in the quarter-final, and beat the African country to reach the semi-final. However, the match was surrounded in controversy after Suarez was sent off for handball.
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The ball looked to be going over the line for a Ghana goal in the final minute of extra time, before Suarez handled the ball to deny a clear goal and resulting in a penalty. The resulting spot-kick was missed by Asamoah Gyan, with Suarez enthusiastically celebrating on the sidelines.
Uruguay went on to win the tie 4-2 on a penalty shootout, with the match finishing 1-1 after extra time. Gyan’s penalty would almost certainly have sent Ghana through to the semi-final, but it was Suarez and Uruguay who progressed.
More than a decade later, the former Liverpool striker has been asked about that match and whether he would be willing to apologise for what happened. Instead, the 35-year-old has defended his actions, after being told by a journalist that he is considered "the devil himself" by some people in Ghana.
"The first time, I don't apologise about that,” said Suarez, in a press conference on Thursday. “I take the handball - but the Ghana player missed a penalty, not me.
“Maybe I apologise if I injure a player but in this situation, I take a red card, the referee says penalty, it's not my fault."
He added: "I didn't miss the penalty. It's not my fault.
"It's 12 years ago. It's the past. I've played against (Giorgio) Chiellini too, and we shook hands."
Later in the press conference, it was claimed that a Uruguayan journalist "booed and heckled" another question on the matter.
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