MANCHESTER UNITED legend Patrice Evra says he received death threats from ‘Liverpool fans in prison’ following the Luis Suarez racism row.
The two players clashed during a Premier League clash at Anfield in 2011.
Luis Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra during a game between Liverpool and Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
Evra alleged Suarez called him a “n****”, and the FA handed the Uruguayan an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine after he was found guilty of racial abuse.
Suarez admitted using words referring to the colour of Evra’s skin during the 1-1 draw.
But he claimed that in his home country such language was not regarded as racist and that his body showed he was not using the words in an aggressive way.
Now Evra, 38, has opened up on the fallout from the incident, admitting he had to hire personal security after receiving death threats.
The following season Luis Suarez refused to shake Evra’s hand when the two met againCredit: PA:Press Association
Speaking on an official Manchester United podcast, Evra said: “Manchester United received so many threatening letters about me.
“People said ‘We’re in jail, we’re Liverpool fans. When we get out, we’re going to kill you and your family’.
“For two months, I had security everywhere I went. They were sleeping in front of my house. Everywhere I went, the security followed me.
“It was a tough time, but I wasn’t scared. My family were scared: my wife and brother, but I wasn’t.
“I couldn’t understand why people hated me so much. They didn’t know the truth.”
Evra, who has since received an apology from Suarez and from Liverpool, also revealed how he managed to get through the rest of the game.
He added: “I remember, during that game, I was talking to myself saying, ‘If you punch him now, people will see you as the bad one, people will forget about what he said.
“I was talking to myself, ‘Don’t do… do it…’ I wasn’t focused for the game.”
After Suarez was banned, Liverpool’s players supported him by wearing T-shirts with his face on before a game against Wigan.
Sky Sports pundit and ex-Red Jamie Carragher retrospectively admitted the club had made a “massive mistake” in supporting their team-mate.
He admitted he “didn’t have enough courage to say I’m not wearing it”.
Patrice Evra has since revealed Luis Suarez apologised for his actions years laterCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
Rio Ferdinand says Liverpool let themselves down when they wore T-shirts in support of Luis Suarez
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
