Russia defender Roman Sharonov called Uruguay’s Luis Suarez “a woman” after the Liverpool forward hit him during a friendly, Sharonov has said.
Suarez scored Uruguay’s goal as the South American champions ground out a 1-1 friendly draw with Russia in Moscow on Friday, with Zenit St. Petersburg striker Alexander Kerzhakov grabbing Russia’s equalizer.
“We didn't clash, he just hit me on the sly. I told him he was a woman. In English, naturally,” Sharonov said after the match.
Sharonov, 35, was a surprise pick for Russia’s Euro 2012 squad, largely because he had not played for Russia for eight years before the Uruguay friendly.
The surprise recall gives Sharonov the chance to end his career on a high note, he said.
“This is my last chance to go the Euros. After all, I’m not a young player, and even young players rarely manage to go.”
“That’s why I’ve tried to play as well as I possibly can.”
Sharonov has spent nine seasons of his 19-year career at Rubin, where he saw his greatest success, winning two Russian Premier League titles and this year’s Russian Cup.
Suarez has scored 21 goals in 49 games for Liverpool since joining in January 2011 from Dutch side Ajax, and helped Liverpool win this year’s FA Cup.
He has had disciplinary problems throughout his career, including bans for biting an opponent, racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and fighting with a teammate.
