ESPN has defended its decision to apologise and hold talks with the commentator Jon Champion after he labelled Liverpool’s striker Luis Suárez a “cheat” in the wake of the striker’s controversial goal against Mansfield Town. The fall-out from Sunday’s FA Cup tie continued with the Mansfield owner, John Radford, claiming Suárez embarrassed Liverpool directors and the manager, Brendan Rodgers, at Field Mill. The broadcaster made the unusual move of issuing a statement implying that Champion had erred in criticising Suárez after the 25-year-old controlled the ball with his right hand during its live coverage of the FA Cup third-round tie. After Suárez put the ball in the net for Liverpool’s second goal Champion said the Uruguayan had scored by “illegal, nefarious means” and, after viewing the replay, declared: “That, I’m afraid, is the work of a cheat.” It is understood that ESPN, which is in the third year of a four-year deal to show 25 live FA Cup matches per season, had not been contacted by Suárez or Liverpool but decided to act after a string of inquiries from viewers, Liverpool bloggers and the media. The club were aggrieved by Champion’s comments but had no plans to take it any further. Following the match Mansfield’s chief executive, Carolyn Radford, said the tie had been “stolen” from the club but Rodgers defended his player.
