We often hear many stories around the footballing world concerning news stories that are horribly 'lost in translation'. A short word or phrase misunderstood in a little way can go on to make huge headlines in the world of the British Tabloids.
Recent examples include Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin claiming he was mistranslated in a Russian interview in which he was translated to be 'pursuing a move to Barcelona' - Though not sure many would blame him?! Fellow new Emirates signing Per Mertersaker being unable to learn the new language resulting in him struggling to settle into English life and countless more, players returning home or traveling with the International side can often return back to awful headlines. There are of course the blatant ones attempting to dig themselves out of a massive hole (See Carlos Tevez) - but we will ignore those... Could it again be the issue in these racial slurs?
It has recently came out in the papers that the alleged incident in the infamous Liverpool v Manchester United meeting on October 15th, could well all be a misunderstanding on the Uruguayan's part. As of today (Nov 14th) nearly a whole month since the accusation the F.A have finally came out and declared the use of the short phrase 'Negrito' as the solution to the puzzle.
Whilst installing a short language lesson without appearing patronising - in Spanish and many South American languages the words 'negro' translates to 'black' whilst any word with 'ito' on the end refers to the fore-fronted word being 'small'. Ok, we've worked it down to 'Suarez calls Evra a 'Small-Black' - Still not really helping his case really. A little further delving reveals all though.
The term in Spanish is not seen of that of a derogating nature - in fact it's quite the opposite, in most cases it is understood in such ways friends between different skin-tones would acknowledge each other, much the way we would say 'mate or pal'. Not conclusive I hear you cry? Suarez has been in England almost 12 months, and must understand such a term could easily get confused and carry very different meanings...
The proof, surprisingly appears in the form of Liverpool team-mate Dani Pacheco (To Suarez's relief) sharing conversation with his fellow Spanish u-21 team-mate Thiago Alcantara, his message to the Barcelona man read; "Negrito, enjoy yourself..."
So as a new racial story has risen up and really overtaken this one which began almost a month ago, can the FA finally make a concrete decision and reprimand one of the involved. The Uruguayan could well still be guilty, Evra could well be found to be making the whole story up or as the title suggests - it could all be one huge misunderstanding. Either way, it surely doesn't take a large, professional Governing body like the FA a whole month to come to a decision using video evidence - either it exists, or it doesn't.
And it is not fair on either party if anything isn't bought to a conclusion soonish.
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