Ghanaian players still cannot overlook Suarez’s handball

John Paintsil reveals it is hard to forget the Suarez handball incident during Ghana’s game against Uruguay at the 2010 World Cup.

In one of the tournament’s most heated and iconic moments, Luis Suarez’s handball blocked a likely goalbound attempt deep into injury time. Suarez was sent off, but Ghana missed the ensuing penalty attempt and lost on penalties after extra time.

Paintsil and his teammate Hans Sarpei are still in pain ten years later. For many Ghanaians, Suarez is responsible for one of the most terrible acts in the country’s football history.

“We were cheated,” Paintsil says.

“To clear the ball from the line with your hand – it’s supposed to be a goal.” he added.

“I can’t forgive him because it was not an accident,” Sarpei adds.

“He knows what he has done. We were crying and you see someone who has cheated us is celebrating. How can I forgive him? Never. Never ever.”

Ghana will face Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Black Stars and Uruguay were placed in Group H alongside Portugal and South Korea.

The Uruguay match has been labeled “Revenge time” Ghanaian football fans.