Liverpool say Luis Suarez misled them before refusing to shake Patrice
Evra's hand, with the player and Kenny Dalglish having issued apologies
.
Liverpool claim Suarez indicated to them he would shake hands with United defender Evra prior to Saturday's Premier League game at Old Trafford before refusing to do so on the pitch.
The Uruguayan, who was banned for eight matches after racially abusing Evra during the league game between the sides at Anfield in October, had been expected to shake hands with the Frenchman, but failed to do so.
On Sunday, Suarez apologised for his actions and Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre also released a statement criticising Suarez's actions.
Later, Reds manager Kenny Dalglish apologised for his conduct during his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Ayre said: "We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.
"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the club.
"It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.
"Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club."
Suarez issued his own apology, which read: "I have spoken with the manager (Kenny Dalglish) since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong.
"I've not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.
"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.
"I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."
Dalglish said in a statement: "Ian Ayre has made the club's position absolutely clear and it is right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at Old Trafford.
"To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.
"But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this Club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.
"When I went on TV after yesterday's game I hadn't seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I'd like to apologise for that."
Suarez scored in a 2-1 defeat for Liverpool, with Evra appearing to taunt the South American by celebrating right next to him at the end of the match.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described Suarez as "a disgrace" and suggested he should never play for Liverpool again while Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor branded Suarez's conduct as "disrespectful, inappropriate and embarrassing".
Taylor added: "If anything, Patrice Evra was the victim and he was prepared to put his hand out.
"These players are expected to be role models but if we have a situation where nobody accepts the findings of hearings and just carries on regardless, all you get is anarchy.
"Now the Football Association have to step in because the whole situation has gone too far.
"Suarez had a chance to put everything to be yesterday, in front of a worldwide audience. The fact that he chose not to is, quite frankly, depressing."
Having already defended his man in the flash TV interview with Sky Sports, Dalglish opted not to make himself available for further discussion on the matter.
On Saturday night, long-time friend Alan Hansen did not say on Match of the Day whether he had spoken to Dalglish prior to transmission.
However, his own observation was withering in its condemnation.
"Liverpool FC made a statement that there would be a handshake," he said.
"Luis Suarez was party to the statement. He knew about it and obviously agreed with it. To snub Patrice Evra was, in my view, totally unacceptable.
"The football club and the manager have given him total and unequivocal support through thick and thin.
"He has let Kenny Dalglish down, the club down and himself down."
Liverpool claim Suarez indicated to them he would shake hands with United defender Evra prior to Saturday's Premier League game at Old Trafford before refusing to do so on the pitch.
The Uruguayan, who was banned for eight matches after racially abusing Evra during the league game between the sides at Anfield in October, had been expected to shake hands with the Frenchman, but failed to do so.
On Sunday, Suarez apologised for his actions and Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre also released a statement criticising Suarez's actions.
Later, Reds manager Kenny Dalglish apologised for his conduct during his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Ayre said: "We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.
"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the club.
"It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.
"Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club."
Suarez issued his own apology, which read: "I have spoken with the manager (Kenny Dalglish) since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong.
"I've not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.
"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.
"I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."
Dalglish said in a statement: "Ian Ayre has made the club's position absolutely clear and it is right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at Old Trafford.
"To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.
"But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this Club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.
"When I went on TV after yesterday's game I hadn't seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I'd like to apologise for that."
Suarez scored in a 2-1 defeat for Liverpool, with Evra appearing to taunt the South American by celebrating right next to him at the end of the match.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described Suarez as "a disgrace" and suggested he should never play for Liverpool again while Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor branded Suarez's conduct as "disrespectful, inappropriate and embarrassing".
Taylor added: "If anything, Patrice Evra was the victim and he was prepared to put his hand out.
"These players are expected to be role models but if we have a situation where nobody accepts the findings of hearings and just carries on regardless, all you get is anarchy.
"Now the Football Association have to step in because the whole situation has gone too far.
"Suarez had a chance to put everything to be yesterday, in front of a worldwide audience. The fact that he chose not to is, quite frankly, depressing."
Having already defended his man in the flash TV interview with Sky Sports, Dalglish opted not to make himself available for further discussion on the matter.
On Saturday night, long-time friend Alan Hansen did not say on Match of the Day whether he had spoken to Dalglish prior to transmission.
However, his own observation was withering in its condemnation.
"Liverpool FC made a statement that there would be a handshake," he said.
"Luis Suarez was party to the statement. He knew about it and obviously agreed with it. To snub Patrice Evra was, in my view, totally unacceptable.
"The football club and the manager have given him total and unequivocal support through thick and thin.
"He has let Kenny Dalglish down, the club down and himself down."
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