But former Chelsea and Spurs midfielder Poyet says he’s ready to go to court to ‘prove’ his fellow countryman’s innocence.
“I know Luis very well and I will go to court if someone wants to prove he’s not racist,” he told TalkSPORT. “I can assure you and everyone Luis is not a racist. We use different words and it is a different kind of situation.
“We live in Uruguay with plenty of people who have different colour skin. We all live together and play football together. What hurts me the most is that you accuse someone. Luis Suarez has been accused of being a racist.”
“You cannot accuse people without a proper investigation, especially when it’s a foreigner who is coming from a different place where we treat people of colour in a different way,” he said.
“So it was very easy to accuse someone. Luis Suarez is 100% not a racist. You are not racist when you go against one, but [you are] if you go against the whole world of different colour and nationalities. That is being racist, not saying one word in one moment.
“If that’s what you want, fair enough. I take it and accept it. I had to behave in a different way because I’ve been in England for 13 years. So I know what you are like and I adapt to that.
“Give Suarez another six months and I think he’ll be how you want him to be.”
And later Poyet lashed the United man for his role in the row, saying Evra reacted ‘like a baby’.
'Evra cried like a baby' says Gus Poyet as Suarez 'racism' row rumbles on
GUS POYET HAS backed his compatriot Luis Suarez’s claims of innocence in the ongoing racism row.
Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker was this week charged by the FA with allegedly using racial slurs against Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during the 1-1 draw at Anfield.
But former Chelsea and Spurs midfielder Poyet says he’s ready to go to court to ‘prove’ his fellow countryman’s innocence.
“I know Luis very well and I will go to court if someone wants to prove he’s not racist,” he told TalkSPORT. “I can assure you and everyone Luis is not a racist. We use different words and it is a different kind of situation.
“You cannot accuse people without a proper investigation, especially when it’s a foreigner who is coming from a different place where we treat people of colour in a different way,” he said.
“So it was very easy to accuse someone. Luis Suarez is 100% not a racist. You are not racist when you go against one, but [you are] if you go against the whole world of different colour and nationalities. That is being racist, not saying one word in one moment.
“If that’s what you want, fair enough. I take it and accept it. I had to behave in a different way because I’ve been in England for 13 years. So I know what you are like and I adapt to that.
“Give Suarez another six months and I think he’ll be how you want him to be.”
And later Poyet lashed the United man for his role in the row, saying Evra reacted ‘like a baby’.
Listen back to Talksport’s interview here>
Blatter says sorry for racism comments, refuses to resign
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