In support of Suarez - post Wigan

I wasn't at Wigan last night but my God, I wish I could have been! It did the heart good to see the T-shirts and listen to the fans in full cry in support of Prince Luis. Right now, I'm immensely proud to be a Liverpool supporter and if anybody thought the show of unity at the DW was conspicuous, it's nothing as to what we'll witness at Anfield on Monday. And if I thought for a moment I could get hold of a Suarez T-shirt for the Blackburn game, I'd certainly wear it!

The press, of course are railing against us. Even the supposedly impartial Sky News sports guy commented that LFC are winning themselves few friends with the show of support. The Mirror emblazoned the word 'Racist' across its back page yesterday morning while today the Express blatantly sought out the opinions of five black players who'd previously suffered at the hands of fans.

All of which completely misses the point and what's more, the hints are now emanating from these papers that if the Club goes to appeal, the ban might be extended. They haven't got a clue, have they? Even if Suarez had the ban reduced to a suspended one and the fine was offset, as long as these publications, which go out in the name of quality, are able to categorise the player as racist, the case is lost.

It may be that some journalists are under orders to follow a certain line, but what is inescapable is that the overall theme is one of denunciation of a guilty player. The fact that this verdict was reached on the gut feeling of three people (it's portrayed as balance of probability) is a joke. I know it's the pantomime season but the notion of 'yes he did; no he didn't' doesn't bear thinking about. Such an instinctive and expedient approach might be appropriate when it's a somewhat relative trivial matter of whether, say, a player who spat on another's leg was aiming at the floor, but this matter is in the stratosphere compared with that. Ironically, John Terry will at least get the initial case heard in a court of law. The difficulty for the FA will come if he's found not guilty and I'd love to think that ultimately they might be caught floundering in their very own self-made pile of excrement.

But let's not get too embroiled in the affairs of Chelsea. As I see it, Liverpool FC has been through some pretty horrific experiences over the years and its togetherness at these times is the reason why it is held in such esteem by those who matter. Despite the best efforts of the establishment, I've not the slightest doubt that the same will apply here. Methinks, last night at Wigan was just the starter for a campaign that won't fade away. Liverpudlians don't give up and I wonder how many other clubs would have continued to fight for justice after Hillsborough with such prolonged tenacity.

By the same token, when we are in the wrong, we put our hands up and take the medicine even if there might be extenuating circumstances. If a properly constituted court of law were to try Luis Suarez and find him guilty after establishing compulsive and clear-cut evidence, I don't doubt for a moment that Kenny (who's seen more traumas than most in his lifetime) and John Henry would come down like a tonne of bricks. The club is steeped in work under now-retired Brian Hall and Bill Bygroves with regards to the community, special needs groups and anti-racism projects; not for a moment would it allow all that good work to be undone. But this was no proper court, it was just a panel; there are those who liken it to a cabal since the FA have appeared so keen to get a guilty verdict so as to promote a new found toughness in the eyes of UEFA and FIFA.

As it is, the fact that the Manager himself, even more so than all his players put together, saw fit to wear the T-shirt should be seen as hugely symbolic. Kenny Dalglish is probably one of the most respected people in the whole world of football and his incredible outward demonstration of support for the player must be seen in that light. Some of those who are this morning criticising the man aren't fit to wipe his nose and ought to know better.

This matter most certainly is not going to go away quickly. It may be that lost points are the result; even vindictiveness in terms of the Suarez finger, but there is a far more important principle at stake here and you can bet your bottom dollar that it hasn't gone unnoticed right across the more discerning footballing spectrum with the likely exception of the Theatre of Wet Dreams.

For years Ferguson has banned first one journalist then a dozen more if they as much as print a word out of place. I say, let's follow suit. LFC's press is rarely as good as it ought to be, so, in the proverbial, fuck 'em! We all know the papers that have been critical since Wednesday, even the seasoned LFC journos like Joyce and Maddock. As far as I can see, only the Telegraph has attempted to hint at some support and of course the Echo. I've not seen The Times. But meanwhile every black player the media can get their hands on is being asked for a quote and of course, they're critical of racism and so reinforce the negativity.

But who isn't against racism? Certainly not me. What I am seeing however is a crack in the thinking here that could readily open into a chasm with a vengeance. It would appear now that if anyone chooses to make a complaint on grounds of racism, then the accused has to prove their innocence. Such an approach might be a pragmatic way of going about things when it comes to a driving offence or dropping litter, but not when the implications are so serious and lifelong for the accused. So next time we play United, one of our white players tells the referee that the opposition's favourite left back has just called him 'white trash' or even a 'South American'. Instant red card. The Saturday after, half a dozen red cards; the week after that, well…

Sounds daft, doesn't it; just somebody's word against another. Well, perhaps a little bit of a rain check and some underlying thinking through this situation is required. Racism is abhorrent but at the same time 'innocent until proven otherwise' is part of the common law of the land. Balanced thinking isn't always easy but it must nevertheless be sought after as the ideal.

I recall from some time back laughingly calling my very young nephew a 'cheeky monkey'. Gee-whiz, this is so scary. The next thing the stewards will be carrying head cameras!!!

Mike Hopper