Uruguay manager hits back at criticism over Luis Suarez handball

Uruguay can be backed at 11/2 with BetFred to beat Holland this evening

Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez has hit back at the criticism his side have received over Luis Suarez’s handball in the dying minutes of the South American side’s World Cup 2010 quarter final win over Ghana.

Suarez saved a certain Ghana goal with his hands in the final minute of extra-time in the quarter-final and Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty, forcing the game into a penalty shoot-out which Uruguay won.

Afterwards Suarez, who likened his actions to Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, received criticism from various press correspondents, which has angered Tabarez, who said:

"I'm embarrassed by what has been asked. That is shameful.

"It was an instinctive act. Suarez couldn't foresee what happened afterwards, that Ghana would miss the penalty. Don't talk to me about a lack of modesty.

"We are very proud and we're upset with this topic. We're proud of our performances and what we've contributed to the development of football at this World Cup.

"Uruguay went through almost three matches without a yellow card at all, so please don't tell me we're cheats."