Fagan

I really like the look of that trio.

true, but the argument of the context of the use of the word is the same. Suarez's argument that is. The circumstances of the Suarez case are obviously very different. but the arguments for the defence are not.

Not sure I follow your point there. Terry admitted to saying the words 'f****ing black C***' that was not disputed and is crystal clear from the TV replay. what was disputed whether those words were preceded by "you/ya" or "a". Terry's case, like Suarez, was that the words used were not meant to be abusive or insulting. Because the Court found it impossible to tell whether what Terry said was in an insulting/racially motivated context then they acquitted him. The FA in the Suarez case said "Mr Suarez used insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3(1); the insulting words used by Mr Suarez included a reference to Mr Evra’s colour within the meaning of Rule E3(2)" I don't believe the a Court would come to the same conclusion given Suarez's version of events and the plethora of witnesses he could have called to explain the real meaning of negrito in his culture. I think at least it would have been enough to create a reasonable doubt.

I suppose the difference here being that the burden of proof in Terry's court trial was 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. Whereas, with Suarez and the FA hearing it was 'on the balance of probabilities. That being said, of the FA investigate and have a hearing for Terry they must apply the same standard and they can't hide behing the Court ruling as the burden of proof is dramatically different. Suarez would not have been found guilty in Court based on the wording of today's judgement. There would have been noone to give evidence of Suarez's intention and real meaning of what he said to Evra which is why Terry got off today. Noone to controvert his evidence and he obviously gave a convincing testimony himself.

Yep, I'd hate O'Neill. Martinez makes me very nervous also but also slightly excited about a young fresh manager who seems clued in and plays good football and sticks to that philosophy. A leap of faith may be required

it is heartbreaking stuff. a very sad day for the club and the King. it is such a shame that it hasn't worked out for Kenny. I do think it was inevitable though, FSG have shown themselves to be quick acting ans shrewed operators. maybe they felt that the squad needs more major investment and they didn't want to give Kenny more money. who knows. I don't believe for one second that they haven't got their sights firmly set on someone and i expect a quick appointment. I think had it been anybody else then we would have been looking for a new manager. but obviously it isnt and the shame is now we'll never ever know if Kenny could have got it right next year and got us back into the CL. You'd have to think that things could only have improved given 1) how bad we were at times and 2) how desperately unlucky we were at time. Current PP odds: Martinez 6/4, Rafa 13/8, Mourinho & O'neill 10/1, Rijkard & Villas Boas 12/1, Lamber & Rogers 14/1. Seems from online rumours that Martinez may have already been approached. verysurprised Jurgen Klopp is not even listed for the PP odds.

on twitter Let's make 2012 the year the world finds out about Doni. #Doni2012

A lot of journo's on twitter lambasting Johnson for his comments and for raising the issue again. I can only assume they will feed of this in tomorrow's papers. In any event, sh*t storm or not, that wasn't really the point I was making

I'm not sure Johnson's comments are helpful whatever your stance is on the matter but the media sh*t storm over this latest interview is risible. They will lambast him for his honest answers yet the interviewer/journo is the one who asked the questions (assumingly in the hope of an honest answer?). The media themselves have re-raised the issue or kicked the sleeping dog if you will

went to Rafa's talk tonight in Trinity College. It was a strange talk I thought but I enjoyed it and loved meeting the great man. signed my Istanbul program for one and got a nice photo with him. He gave nothing away as you'd expect. refused to comment on any individual, as he was asked about fergie and a mourinho and a few others. only intriguing nuggets were that he said, 'i know Liverpool fans love me, but I hope they love me enough to know I can't sit at home and watch telly forever and I have to take good offer if it comes along' The strange part was that the majority of his speech was about how successful he's been and it involved quotes from ex players saying what a genius he is, which is probably correct but he seems a little bit defensive as he talked about the media saying he's not so good yet really he is a genius. he had a lot of pie charts and graphs! one interesting graph was Liverpool's income before and after he took over. and at he bottom of the trajectory was when he took over with a big 'Houllier' label and then the top trajectory when he left with a big 'Benitez' at the top. after the speech, when we met him privately he asked twice was the speech ok. because some of his power point didn't function as he would have liked. he hung around fo rages talking to press and also us non media people and showed no signs of wanting to leave. he genuinely loves being loved by Liverpool fans. he was very engaging afterwards and is clearly obsessed with football. I really got the feeling he'd love to finish off his job at the club.

Its all part of his insanity defence

It is now. Kenny has spent a fortune and the return is appalling. Blackburn have scored more goals than us FFS! If Kenny wasn't who he is, the heat would be on, rightly or wrongly. In my opinion, were in one of those situations now where we are very close to getting it right and equally close to going in the opposite direction. critical times ahead in terms of getting and shipping out key personnell

@LFCTransferSpec 'Reports coming through that LFC are ready to make a bid for Abel Hernandez from Palermo'

I hadnt seen any of those tweets before now. Certainly balances things up alright.

Of course there is that possibility, I hope that's the case obviously. I'm just saying that at the moment, as things stand, I think he knew what he heard before reacting in such a manner like he did last night.

No i dont think that at all. I'm just saying that I find it hard to believe that he was called a "manc" as opposed to "black" its an easy enough phrase to differentiate with your ears. but i know as little as most on here so lets wait and see what happens. only adeyemi and those directly in the area where the chant came from actually know. I suppose at this stage, in the absence of other evidence, I have no reason whatsoever to disbelieve Adeyemi Thanks. Heaven forbid I debate an important point

its generally a collective chant though against their fans etc. not something that would be directed by one individual directly at an oldham player who is from Norwich.

Maybe he's had enough and decided to take issue with it this time. If he was racially abused then fair play to him for taking such a visible and vocal stand against it right there and then. It doesn't matter if he hears worse in other divisions week in week out, totally irrelevant. if he was racially abused by someone in the crowd then he can react however he likes.

was the offending person not evicted by a steward?

tenuous at best on the face of it. particularly when other witnesses say otherwise. who knows other than those directly in the vicinity and in particular Adeyemi

it looks clear there that he heard something directed towards him as he went over to remonstrate with the crowd. no other player seemed to be around. why out of interest to people seem to think that someone on the crowd shouted 'manc b*****' ? who would that have been directed at?

That's not true.Adeyemi himself is a witness and Tony Barrett of the Times says there are witnesses on both sides of the story. If t is true, its a disgrace but its hardly earth shattering in the sense that it happens at every football ground in England and in fact the Chelsea fans recent treatment of Anton Ferdinand was far worse and was a collective effort and nothing was said about that. the person who has allegedly made the remarks should be banned for life. If it is true, then fair play to Adeyemi for standing up to it there and then

sorry to go against the grain here but why do people think this is a big conspiracy? ive read the report and it is generally the case when it is a swearing match of factual evidence between two people that the more credible one wins out. Suarez says that when he used the word negro 3 or 4 times in the one sentence that it was used in a 'conciliatory' manner. does anyone actually believe that?! the punishment is harsh and does not match the crime and Suarez is probably not a racist but his use of the word negro or negrito was racial and based on the colour of evra's skin and not in a conciliatory way either.

No sign of Stevie? Always enjoy these pics also. I bet it makes a huge impact on the kids and families and the players really seem to get a kick out of it.

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