The big news today was about a serial cheat, who has chosen to speak to the media admitting his cheating. Obviously the widespread condemnation of this has created a buzz in the media which in turn sells newspapers and fills column inches.
Of course I am referring to Lance Armstrong who has selected Oprah Winfrey to hear his confession, while the IOC and Cycling Federation seek to rewrite history erasing his results and requesting the return of their medals.
Back in the UK, in an unrelated story that is also filling the back pages of the tabloids, Luis Suarez chose to repeat the embarrassment he heaped on Kenny Dalglish, by admitting he dived to try and get a penalty against Stoke City.
Suarez managed to help get Kenny fired, as his manager sought to claim poor vision and myopia, when the right thing to do was to condemn the actions of his player at Handshakegate.
Eventually, or should I say belatedly, the sense of fair play on this side of the Pond caused John Henry to speak out against his employees actions thus restoring a modicum of decorum to a sad and sorry affair at Anfield.
Kenny subsequently departed, back to the golf course from which he was summoned, his reputation only slightly tarnished by his efforts to relive his glory days.
The latest Suarez media faux pas puts Brendan Rodgers in the same shoes as King Kenny, after the man who’s talent seems to cause short sighted managers to defend the perennial troublemaker, did it yet again.
Rodgers immediately responded, learning from Kenny’s slow actions, but failing to adequately address the matter by saying it would be dealt with behind closed doors. Sorry Brendan but computer says no, it’s now in the public domain, deal with it.
Whereas Kenny saw it, but claimed he didn’t, only to be corrected by the owner, you really can’t claim you didn’t see this Brendan. What are you going to do about it ? Remember, John Henry is watching!
Ethics aside, the player has now admitted to cheating. Lance Armstrong has also admittted to cheating. Different cases but stealing is stealing, cheating is cheating.
What will the FA do? Will they ignore it too?
Will they let Liverpool deal with it with a few jokes in the manager’s office and a couple of packets of crisps?
Maybe some dive training from Tom Daley to improve the deceit?
How about some betting from a Malaysian syndicate on a Liverpool penalty?
What’s acceptable Brendan?
If Suarez is angling for a move in the window away from a mid-table Club to a richer, more successful force, then wouldn’t this be exactly what he would do? First handball after his prior diving, racism issue, biting and generally bad behaviour. Why is it always him? Does he want away?
If Brendan condemns him publicly then here comes the transfer request.
If he doesn’t then he is just a pawn to player power at Anfield and his authority is gone.
So we heard you Brendan. You’re in charge. You know all the facts. So what are you going to do about it ?
We are all watching you, isn’t that what you wanted when you did the TV show?
By Steve Burrows CBE @ifollowsteve
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