Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 11/12 - Mod Note 4153

Samich wrote: »

Suarez admitted using the word Negro.

Experts' observations on Mr Suarez's account
187. The experts reviewed the interview of Mr Suarez (transcribed in both Spanish and
English), together with video clips of the referee's intervention. They proceeded, for the
purpose of this part of their report, on the basis that the substance of Mr Suarez's account
was accurate. They made the following observations on Mr Suarez's account.

188. To analyse the word "negro" in Mr Suarez's interview it was important to remember that
the word was used during a football match, which establishes the context as one of
informal social relations.

189. Although there was clearly already bad feeling between Mr Suarez and Mr Evra at the
time of their second exchange (by which we understand the experts to refer to when the
referee blew his whistle to stop the corner), the fact that Mr Suarez indicates that Mr Evra
had already spoken to him in Spanish in the earlier exchange means that he could well
have felt that a linguistic and/or cultural relationship had been established between them
(even though Mr Evra subsequently spoke to him in English).
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190. Given paragraphs 188 and 189, Mr Suarez would not have needed any further sense of
familiarity to use the word "negro", which is to say how well Mr Suarez knew Mr Evra is
not of particular importance; in Rioplatense Spanish the use of "negro" as described here
by Mr Suarez would not be offensive. Indeed, it is possible that the term was intended as
an attempt at conciliation and/or to establish rapport (see 175 above).

191. The question "Por qué, negro?" as transcribed in Mr Suarez's interview sounded right
linguistically and culturally and is in line with the use set out by Mr Suarez when
referring to Glen Johnson; Mr Suarez was also correct in highlighting that "negro de
mierda" would be a clear racial slur.

192. The term "sudamericano" [South American] might be offensive for a South American if
taken as an implied slight against a regional identity; a more derogatory insult along these
lines would be the term "sudaca", a term most frequently used in Spain to label South
American immigrants. Though the experts are not familiar with either "sudamericano" or
"South American" being used as an insult, if they were said with a sneer then they might
well be understood as such.

193. As stated above, Mr Suarez's gesture towards Mr Evra's arm is difficult to interpret. In the
context of the events as set out by Mr Suarez then there is nothing to indicate that the
gesture was racially offensive.

194. The experts concluded their observations on Mr Suarez's account as follows. If Mr Suarez
used the word "negro" as described by Mr Suarez, this would not be interpreted as either
offensive or offensive in racial terms in Uruguay and Spanish-speaking America more
generally; it is being used along the lines of paragraphs 172, 173 and 175 above.

Relevance of the expert evidence
195. We have set out the expert evidence at length because we consider that it provides helpful
background to the issues which we have to resolve. In particular, it provides valuable
insight into, amongst other things, the different ways in which the word "negro" might be
used in Uruguay.
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196. It is important to note that both the FA and Mr Suarez agreed the contents of the experts'
report. Neither required the experts to attend the hearing for cross-examination.

197. Of course, they wished to rely on different parts of the report to support their case. The FA
relied, in particular, on the experts' conclusion that if Mr Suarez used the words "negro"
and "negros" as described by Mr Evra, this would be understood as offensive and
offensive in racial terms in Uruguay and Spanish-speaking America more generally. The
physical gesture of touching Mr Evra's arm would also, in the context of the phrases used,
be interpreted as racist.

198. Mr Suarez, on the other hand, relied on the experts' conclusion that if he used the word
"negro" as described by him, this would not be interpreted as either offensive or offensive
in racial terms in Uruguay and Spanish-speaking America more generally.

199. We reviewed the experts' report with considerable care in reaching our decision, and took
its contents fully into account. Whilst recognising the usefulness of the entire report, we
draw particular attention to the following features.

200. First, there are some black people in Uruguay and other areas of Latin America who object
to the use of the word "negro" as a term of address, as they say it highlights skin colour
when this should be irrelevant. This is the use of the word "negro" (ie as a term of address)
which Mr Suarez contended before us is acceptable, yet his view appears to be contentious
with some in Uruguay and Latin America.

201. Secondly, use of the word "negro" can be seen as offensive or inoffensive in Uruguay and
Latin America. It appears to depend, largely, on the context. It might be seen by some as
inoffensive when used to address relatives, friends or passers-by. However, we note the
experts' comment that in all cases when the word is used in this way it implies a sense of
rapport or the attempt to create such rapport; naturally, if the term were used with a
sneer, then it might carry negative connotations. It is important to examine closely the
context in which it is used, and the way in which it is used, in order to decide whether it is
being used offensively and offensively in racial terms.

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202. Thirdly, the experts' confine their conclusions on Mr Evra's and Mr Suarez's accounts to
how the word would be understood in Uruguay and Spanish-speaking America more
generally, They were right to do so, no doubt recognising that whilst it is legitimate and
helpful for the experts to give their opinion on whether or not the word might be used to
offend in Uruguay and Latin America, it is the Commission's task to decide whether the
use of the word in England is abusive or insulting. The use of the word in a particular way
might be seen as inoffensive by many in Uruguay. The same use of the same word in
England might nevertheless be abusive or insulting.

cloptrop wrote: »

for those not bothered to read report here is a very summarised version
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/7407709/fa-report-says-luis-suarez-called-patrice-evra-negro
in all honesty i thought he just used the word during a flaired exchange
but that is racist on so many levels
no matter what is ok in latin america , saying you kicked someone cause hes black is pretty racist , if he appeals he will be banned for longer
and im sure glen johnston feels silly for wearing the suarez shirt , and im sure darren bent will be dying to go play for liverpool
happy new year

spockety wrote: »

Kuyt : "Though I may have misint..."

FA : "Thank you thank you Mr Kuyt, that will be all"

Kuyt : "But.. "

FA : "THAT WILL BE ALL"