“Racism has to be zero tolerance, but this is now a witch hunt,” Barnes said on BBC Radio Merseyside.
Shortly after the FA announced its punishment against Suarez, Liverpool responded with amazement at both the decision and severity of the sanctions against its star player.
“What they’re [Liverpool FC] actually saying is that ‘we don’t believe Luis Suarez is racist, we don’t believe he’s guilty’, and they’re making their point … so I don’t mind Liverpool doing what they did, at all,” Barnes said.
Barnes played for Liverpool from 1987 to 1997, when racial abuse from players and fans was commonplace. The LFC legend believes Suarez had no intent of abuse when he used a word referring to Evra’s skin color. Barnes points to the support the Uruguayan is receiving from his compatriots as evidence that no punishment is warranted.
“From a cultural point of view, [Suarez] has been backed by people from Uruguay saying the word he used is not deemed as a racist term,” Barnes added.
“As much as we will say that ignorance is no excuse, ignorance is an excuse. Twenty years ago in England, the same people in England now condemning him were ignorant as to what racism is. Why don’t they condemn themselves?”
The altercation between Suarez and Evra took place during the Liverpool-Manchester United game on Oct. 15, as seen below.
This saga is far from over. Suarez plans to appeal the suspension.
Photo via Flickr/The Prostate Cancer Charity
