Spanish slang may get Suarez off the hook Use of word 'negrito' is key part of Liverpool striker's defence as race row with Evra rumbles on Ian Herbert Monday 14 November 2011 Patrice Evra is aware that the nuances of South American slang may prevent him from demonstrating that he was the victim of racist abuse from Liverpool's Luis Suarez in Manchester United's league match at Anfield last month. Sources in France suggested last night that the word Evra says he heard Suarez utter several times in the second half of the game may be negrito, a South American term which is generally affectionate, but sometimes â as in this context â a way of poking fun. It translates as "little black fella" though is such a common part of the Spanish vernacular that team-mates use it on each other. A tweet that was sent on Friday from Dani Pachecho to his Spain U21 team-mate Thiago translated as: "Negrito. Enjoy yourself there and if you need anything the lion will come to the rescue haha..." If negrito was the word Suarez used, then Evra's shock is understandable if he did not understand the context in which that particular piece of vernacular is used. But in Uruguay and Argentina, the use of the word negro and negrito by commentators describing Premier League players is common. Visitors to South America often find that shocking if they are unaware of the nuance but the Spanish word negro for the colour black is pronounced differently to the offensive "negro" and one has nothing to do with the other. Un hombre negro means "black man". Affixing 'ito' and 'ita' on the end of words is to express that something is smaller. The possibility of negrito being the offending expression explains why Suarez said in midweek that his own words were not an insult but just his own "way of expressing myself. I called him something his team-mates at Manchester call him, and even they were surprised by his reaction".Suarez said "there were two parts of the discussion, one in Spanish, one in English", and it is is possible that David de Gea and Javier Hernandez â the members of United's Spanish-speaking fraternity on the pitch that day â may have evidence relevant to Suarez's claims. The expression is certainly a very long way from Luis Aragones referring to Henry as negro de mierda back in 2004. Though Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has been deeply critical of the time it has taken the Football Association to conclude this investigation, the complexities do reveal what the authorities are up against. Dalglish's complaints were premature and unjustified. Meanwhile, Suarez has revealed his desire to remain at Liverpool for many years to come. He has made an excellent start to life on Merseyside and admits he feels completely at home in England and believes it would be difficult to re-create his level of satisfaction anywhere else in the world. Suarez said: "I've just started a phase of my career which I always dreamed about and wanted to do, which is to play for Liverpool. I have five years left on my contract and I think beyond that, I'm already thinking about staying many more years at Liverpool. "It's a club I like. I feel very good about being here, about being in the city. I feel very pleased. It would be difficult to match the atmosphere, hunger for success and glory that this club has, at another team." Suarez also spoke about netting four times in a World Cup qualifier against Chile last Friday night. The striker joked that his Uruguayan team-mates had joked that he could even have doubled his tally had he not been substituted after 76 minutes as a precautionary measure. Suarez, who scored all four in a 4-0 win, said: "You always dream about scoring goals and scoring four in a game is not easy, but if it wasn't for the efforts of my team mates, I would not have scored the goals. "The important thing is that I could keep playing, but I did not over-extend myself in some plays. One of my team-mates joked that if it wasn't for the slight back pain I could've scored eight!" He added: "I love playing, so whenever I'm taken off I mourn a little, and get a sick feeling in my stomach, but it's all about the team, and I always appreciate everyone's efforts http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...lang-may-get-suarez-off-the-hook-6261881.html
Suarez news: he is alleged to have referred to Evra as 'negrito' - Spanish for 'little black man'. Not uncommon and NOT racist. Negrito' is actually a phrase coined by European explorers to describe a class of small, black folk who inhabit parts of southeast Asia. Furthermore, Evra's team mates are believed to have nicknamed the player 'Negrito' due to his diminutive stature.Both Hernandez and De Gea use this phrase all the time apparently towards Evra as a form of endearment Suarez wound Evra up by saying 'calmarse Negrito' (calm down little black man). It was not a racist term, nor was it used with malice
As I've said to all the wums. It's well known that it's a term of enderement in Spanish. No doubt that suarez said it sarcastically as we say "chill out mate" to someone we don't know but to say it was racist is in itself ignorent.
Im astonished hes even been charged after reading this.If Suarez is found gulity, I expect thousands of Liverpool fans sending emails to the FA asking for De Gea and Hernandez to be banned too.No doubt Fergies " relationship" with the FA ( the organisation David Gill is a part of ) has somethin to do with fact that Suarez has even been charged over the matter
the truth is often very scary - you can just see him asking for the black cap as he takes his seat saying "i will need that later"
Well, it could be argued as a reason - but it won't be seen as an excuse, unfortunately. The British often confuse the two, and as I've said before there is a difference. What the FA will need to take into consideration - and I hope they do - is that our race laws are different to those in Uruguay, if they have any. I don't know. Suarez will say he honestly didn't know he had caused offence. That will be true on his side. Evra saw it differently, therefore we have the current situation. The British and the likes of Ferguson say 'It's no excuse.' No, it isn't, not in Britain because we know what's expected of us; but in Suarez's eyes it's a reason. All the banter aside on the threads covering this topic that have gone beforehand notwithstanding, the facts are we know them are these: 1. Evra has accused Suarez of a racist slur which he DID NOT report straightaway. That should - LFC fans hope - get the FA wondering. It certainly makes Evra's claims look sus. 2. There were no witnesses. It's one word against the other. It has to be settled by what I hope doesn't turn out to be a kangaroo court or a witch hunt (no offence to witches!). Now there's been much talk of education. In the NHS and most companies they have equality and diversity training. I think it would be a good idea to apply this in all sport, not just football. It's no good just saying we don't want racism and people seen to be racist or abusive. Make people see why by proper training, and that includes our friends from overseas. Do I think Suarez is innocent? Yes, but it won't hurt for him to be given some direction.
Go up to a black man in London and call him it, see what he says or does back to you. to say it is acceptable in this country, shows how blind, deluded and inherently racist you are
I pretty much agree wishi. However the Suarez interview, which I think you said you have heard, means it's not one persons word against the other. Suarez has , unfortuntley for him, admitted saying something to him which although he may not think it's bad the FA rules may think differently. I don't think he's racist but certainly misinformed about what is acceptable whilst playing his football in the EPL.
No sir, it's YOU who are being the racist. Firstly you are taking this whole issue out of context. Secondly you have set yourself up as judge and jury. Thirdly you know absolutely nothing about DDDDDD yet you are prepared to libel him (BTW he now does have the evidence for an action against you for libel should he so wish)
well that would probably depend on who was saying it and the way it was said. As has been commented many black people are happy (or at at least not insulted) to be referred to as ni**ers in the right context and by the right people. It is not the words used that show people are racist, it is the motive for using those words.
but it wasn't an english person saying it MO, it was a uruguayan with very little knowledge of the English language and probably no too intelligent either. It's not like me calling someone the n word and saying "oh its ok my mate doesnt mind it so its fine" but completely different: It's a COMPLETELY acceptable word in Uruguay with no racist connotations yet Suarez obvs should have known better and known that in England any variation of the n word would cause offense. What's made worse though is Hernandez apparently calls Evra "negrito" all the time yet Evra's really milking this one because he knows with bacon face behind him the FA will be too.
No, I didn't hear it, to be honest, but I know opened his big gob obviously trying to defend himself. The point is were there any witnesses? But we've been through all this. All we can do is wait and find out.
Fergie has'nt waited to find out,or stick to the FA's request not to discuss anything regarding the case to the press. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...Evra-in-Luis-Suarez-race-row-a-bit-silly.html
If an White Englishman called Evra a 'Little Black Fella', my guess is he would take it as a racist slur. This lost in translation defence is laughable. I hope Suarez didn't mean it as a slur, but offence is taken not given, and he'll deserve the ban that is surely coming his way.
So if a black english man called Evra a 'Little Black Fella', would your guess still be that he would take it as a racist slur?
