Prime Minister David Cameron has attempted to explain why he commented on the Luis Suarez “bitegate”, after manager Brendan Rodgers discussed his role in the lengthy ban.
Earlier this week, Cameron had used an official spokesman to issue the following statement:
“As part of their [the football authorities’] consideration, I think it would be very understandable if they took into account the fact that high-profile players are often role models.”
Those comments were criticised by Kick It Out chairman Lord Herman Ouseley and prompted Rodgers, in his press conference yesterday, to comment:
“The Prime Minister even chipped in with something which was a different matter altogether.
“There’s no doubt if you have those high-profile figures making those sort of statements, there will be a bias.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard of an independent panel being dictated to by so many people.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live on Friday morning, Cameron attempted to defend his comments:
“I made my own views clear, just as a dad watching the game.
“I have a seven-year-old son who loves football, loves watching football and when players behave like this, it sets the most appalling example to young people in our country.”
[No, not the same child Cameron and his wife left in a pub]
Cameron claims he made his “own views” – yet then why did he use an official spokesman to announce his views? That is not a personal view, that is using an official channel and is an abuse of power as Prime Minister.
Cameron claims the type of behaviour sets the most appalling example to young people in the UK. Does adultery, racism, shooting a work experience, purposefully breaking someone’s leg set the same example? Yes. So why did he choose not to comment on any of those but has commented on Suarez’s?
We are not seeking to blindly defend Suarez, whose actions are clearly wrong, but we are questioning why this incident and not any other football behavioural incidents required comment from the Prime Minster of the country.
David Cameron. Singing like a canary on Suarez. Strangely quiet on Bahrain.
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) April 26, 2013
Why is David Cameron worrying about Luis Suarez being a role model for his son? He should be the role model for his son.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) April 26, 2013
Fan Comments