Luis Suarez, a striker for Uruguay, has steadfastly refused to accept responsibility for his notorious handball against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup as the two teams gear up for their Friday matchup in Qatar.
When Suarez purposefully punched the ball off the line in the waning seconds of extra time during Ghana’s quarterfinal in South Africa 12 years ago, he was a part of one of the most disputed World Cup incidents in history.
Asamoah Gyan of Ghana missed the subsequent penalty kick after Suarez was given a red card for the incident, and Uruguay went on to overcome the African team in a shootout to advance to the semifinal.
After the game, Suarez’s teammates and countrymen praised him as a hero for the action, which has subsequently caused controversy among football fans.
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In a Group H matchup against Uruguay and Suarez on Friday in Qatar, Ghana will be seeking retribution as both teams are vying for a place in the round of 16.
Suarez was informed by a Ghanian journalist at a press conference on the day before the game that many people in the African nation view the forward as the “devil himself” as a result of the handball.
“I don’t apologize about that, I took the handball, but the Ghana player missed the penalty,” replied the 35-year-old striker.
“I’d apologize if I injured a player or took a red card for this, but I took a red card (for the handball). It wasn’t my fault because I didn’t miss the penalty.
“You see the player who missed the penalty, he said he would do the same,” Suarez added.
