Luis Suarez, a striker for Uruguay, has declared that he owes the Ghanaians no explanation for his role in the Black Stars’ 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal defeat in South Africa.
When Ghana had a chance to score in stoppage time in extra time of the last-8 match twelve years ago at Soccer City Stadium, Suarez blocked it with his hand.
Late in the game, Ghana received a penalty, but Asamoah Gyan, a former Sunderland striker, was unable to score. As a result, Ghana lost the match on penalties.
Many Ghanaians have long remembered that episode, and some have demanded an apology from the former Liverpool and Barcelona player.
Suarez has now spoken out about the incident, saying that he would not apologize because Gyan was not forced to miss the penalty because of his actions.
Prior to Uruguay’s 2022 FIFA World Cup final group match against Ghana on Friday night, Suarez addressed the media at a news conference. “The first time, I don’t apologize about it,” he said.
I committed the handball, but it was Ghana’s Gyan who missed a penalty, not me. If I hurt a player, I might apologise, but in this case, the referee gave me a penalty and it wasn’t my fault.
