‘The devil’ Suarez refuses to apologise for Ghana handball – ‘Gyan missed the penalty, not me’

Jason Soutar
Luis Suarez handles the ball on the line

Uruguay stalwart Luis Suarez has told the people of Ghana that he is not sorry for his infamous handball at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In one of the craziest moments in World Cup history, Suarez pulled off an incredible save in the last minute of extra-time in Uruguay’s quarter-final against Ghana.

The deliberate handball denied the Black Stars a spot in the semi-final of the tournament, though Asamoah Gyan had the opportunity from the spot to make his side the first African side to reach that stage of a World Cup.

However, he missed the target, with the ball striking the bar and going over.

Suarez was approaching the tunnel when the penalty was missed and was seen on camera celebrating it like he scored a winning goal after Gyan failed to convert from 12 yards.

Uruguay ended up going through on penalties 12 years ago and they will face Ghana in Qatar in what should be an emotional grudge match.

Prior to the decivise match on Friday, Suarez said: “The Ghana player missed the penalty, not me.”

The African nation are in a stronger position than Uruguay in Group H.

After beating South Korea 3-2 in a hectic match last week, the Ghanaians are second behind already-qualified Portugal.

A win for Ghana will send them through to the last 16, which is the same for the South Americans, as long as Korea fail to beat Fernando Santos’ side.

The game on Friday will be the first time the two sides face off since that match in 2010 and Suarez has refused to apologise despite a reporter letting him know he is viewed as “the devil himself” in Ghana.

Suarez said: “I don’t apologise for it. I apologise if I injure a player but I took a red card for the handball.

“It wasn’t my fault because I didn’t miss the penalty.”

The Ghanaian squad is playing down the rivalry, however, and Andre Ayew is eager to move on.

“Everyone felt bad [in 2010] but for me I just want to get to the next stage,” Ayew – the only remaining player from the 2010 squad – said.

“Revenge or not, we would go with the same determination and desire to win.

“I am not looking back, I don’t want to focus on the past.”

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