Ferguson fuming after Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand

Sir Alex Ferguson branded Luis Suarez a "disgrace" and claimed he should never be allowed to play for Liverpool again following Manchester United's 2-1 win

Luis Suarez, left, refused to shake the hand of Patrice Evra, left.
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Sir Alex Ferguson branded Luis Suarez a "disgrace" and claimed he should never be allowed to play for Liverpool again after the Uruguay striker refused to shake hands with Patrice Evra before Manchester United's explosive 2-1 win at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Ferguson was furious that Suarez deliberately withdrew his hand when he came face to face with Evra for the first time since being handed an eight-match suspension for racially abusing the United captain in a match at Anfield last October.

Evra looked shocked by Suarez's snub during the traditional pre-match handshakes and grabbed at the Uruguayan's arm before his United teammate Rio Ferdinand responded by refusing to shake hands with the Liverpool star.

Ferguson claimed Suarez's actions could have sparked a riot in a fixture already drenched in hatred between the two sets of supporters.

The Scot believes a club of Liverpool's history and tradition should now wash their hands of Suarez.

"I couldn't believe it. I just could not believe it," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"I had a chat with Patrice this morning and he said he was going to shake his hand. He said I have nothing to be ashamed of.

"He [Suarez] is a disgrace to Liverpool football club. He shouldn't be allowed to play for Liverpool again.

"The history that club's got, he could have caused a riot. It was terrible what he did.

"You saw the referee. He didn't know what to do. It was a terrible start to the game and it created a terrible atmosphere."

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish later insisted he had not seen the incident, but lost his cool with a television interviewer at the suggestion it had led to a bust-up between players from both sides at half time.

"I never knew he didn't shake his hand. I will take your word for it. That is contrary to what I was told," Dalglish said.

"It's bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened today, how many bookings were there? The fans had a bit of banter."