Jamie Carragher apologises to Patrice Evra over Liverpool’s handling of Luis Suarez affair

Suarez was banned for eight games by the Football Association following an investigation into the incident between the then Liverpool striker and Evra

Jamie Carragher has apologised to Patrice Evra for the way Liverpool handled the aftermath of Luis Suarez’s ban for racially abusing the Frenchman in 2011.

Suarez was banned for eight games by the Football Association following an investigation into the incident between the then Liverpool striker and Evra, who was playing for Manchester United at the time.

The following day the Liverpool players, including their vice-captain Carragher, wore T-shirts in support of Suarez ahead of their Premier League game against Wigan Athletic.

Speaking on Sky Sports, where both Carragher and Evra were working as pundits for Monday night’s game between Sheffield United and Arsenal, Carragher said Liverpool “got it massively wrong”.

“There is no doubt we made a massive mistake, that was obvious,” Carragher said.

“As the club we got it wrong and I was vice-captain. I am not sure who was actually behind it. I don’t think it had anything to do with the manager Kenny, I think it was the players who were close to Luis in the dressing room who really wanted to support their mate.

“Maybe I have to look at myself now and say I did not have the courage as an individual to say ‘I am not wearing it’. I don’t think everyone within Liverpool Football Club thought what we was doing was right but I do think as a football club or you as a family, your first reaction is to support them even if you know that they are wrong and that is wrong.”

Evra said: “When I saw it I was like this is ridiculous. This is unbelievable. You put your own club in danger when you do those things. You always have to support your player because he is from your team but this was after the ban. If it was before and we were waiting for the sanctioned, I would understand.

“What message do you send to the world? Supporting someone being banned because he used some racist words.”