if Firmino was speaking Brasilian Portuguese, from a particular area in Brasil, you would need a language expert to decipher what he said.
This will inevitably be a media circus, but I can't see it being Evra II - the official was right there, along with other players from both sides during the verbal exchange. It'll be a matter of non-Portuguese speakers being able to identify the words they heard from Firmino. Meanwhile Holgate should be charged for violent play, he really tried to injure Firmino.
True but Holgate is claiming Firmino called him the "n" word and if he could hear that I'd have to think the ref would also hear that .
that article says NOTHING that would substantiate the "racial" character of the remark, whatever it was. don't get sucked in by what is said in the press. a kid at school a couple of years ago -- a black kid -- said to me "that's racist" when i told him to go back to his seat. my exact words were, "Please go back to your seat." now, who's the racist?
One never knows with the old boys of the FA. What would they do if an English player calls an English player a "Son of a bitch" in English? Meanwhile, as you say. Holgate is skating free while the media stir it up.
Ok if you look at a picture of Firmino and Holgate they could easily pass of as brothers how can there be any case for racial abuse
If I’m Holgate and I’ve just realized I might be in big trouble for that push, is there a chance I might want to concoct an excuse or diversion?
The thing with Holgate-gate is that he didn't react immediately. He shoved Firmino and the ref should have dealt with him right then. Then Firmino came charging over furious, which he had every right to be. Holgate stood there smug and Firmino said more than a few things before Holgate even reacted. Maybe Firmino didn't say what Holgate thinks he said, but it seemed like something triggered him -- unless ryered is right and he came up with the diversion at that point. Hate that it mars an otherwise hard fought game.
Really enjoyed seeing VVD out there. He sure seems to have a different approach to headers than what I've seen with our other centerbacks. Maybe it is more control or strength. On his goal, Matip is flopping all over the place, and VVD is strong and stoic looking.
Exactly, Sam. I would have expected a reaction from the ref if he'd heard some kind of racial insult and there was nothing. Makes me wonder if Holgate either misunderstood what Bobby said or perhaps even went to the race card to detract from his push.