Suarez refuses to apologise for handball and blames Ghana for 2010 World Cup exit

Suarez was embroiled in controversy when he was sent off for handball in the dying stages of Ghana's quarter-final against Uruguay.

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With the game locked at 1-1, Suarez used his hand to prevent Dominic Adiyah scoring the winning goal.

The former Liverpool striker then celebrated profusely in the tunnel after Asamoah Gyan's subsequent spot kick crashed off the crossbar leading to Uruguay eventually winning on penalties.

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Whilst Ghana's players have put the situation behind them, many fans haven't and continue to view Suarez in a negative light 12 years later.

Ahead of Friday's meeting between the two nations, Ghana have the opportunity to inflict revenge on Suarez and co by prematurely dumping them out of the tournament.

An exit could also see the striker call time on his international career after a 15-year spell for his country whilst becoming Uruguay's all-time top scorer with 68 goals.

Suarez took part in the pre-match press conference on Thursday in what was always likely to produce fireworks ahead of the Group H clash.

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A Ghanaian journalist told the striker that many people in Ghana consider him to be 'the devil himself' and look forward to retiring him.

Suarez took to the microphone and replied: "The first time [2010], I don't apologise about that. I take the handball - but the Ghana player missed a penalty, not me. Maybe I apologise if I injure a player but in this situation, I take a red card, the ref say penalty, it's not my fault."

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The added spice of Suarez's previous antics only adds to what is a pivotal game for both sides.

A win or draw for Ghana would secure safe passage to the round of 16 whilst dumping both Uruguay and South Korea out of the competition.

However, a Uruguay victory could see them through to the knockout round should South Korea fail to beat group leaders Portugal.

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