Post by Wolvensam on Nov 10, 2008 11:36:36 GMT
Ipswich Town midfielder David Norris has been heavily criticised for a 'handcuffs' style goal celebration intended as a show of solidarity for former Plymouth goalkeeper, Luke McCormick, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for causing the death by dangerous driving of two young brothers.
Norris made the gesture in front of a crowd of 8,000 after scoring the only goal of the game for Ipswich at Blackpool.
Amanda Peak, who lost her two sons Arron, 10, and eight-year-old Ben, when McCormick, who was drunk and jet-lagged, fell asleep at the wheel and collided with the Peaks' car on the M6, has called on Ipswich to ban the midfielder.
"I'm disgusted," she told the Daily Mirror. "To celebrate a goal like this is disrespectful to me and my husband and my boys. He should be given a ban. Norris is doing this in front of thousands of supporters including children, and sending out the wrong message that we can drink and it is OK to kill someone."
Norris, who used to play alongside McCormick at Plymouth Argyle and whose wedding the 25-year-old goalkeeper had been attending the night before the crash in June, has apologised to the Peak family.
"It wasn't a handcuffs sign it was a private message but I can see how people might have seen it like that and I apologise if it's caused any offence," he said. "Luke is a friend of mine. He made a massive mistake and he is paying for that."
Ipswich Town say they will take action to deal with Norris.
Last season Everton refused to punish Tim Cahill when he made a similar gesture to show support for his brother who had been jailed for six years for causing grievous bodily harm.
Norris made the gesture in front of a crowd of 8,000 after scoring the only goal of the game for Ipswich at Blackpool.
Amanda Peak, who lost her two sons Arron, 10, and eight-year-old Ben, when McCormick, who was drunk and jet-lagged, fell asleep at the wheel and collided with the Peaks' car on the M6, has called on Ipswich to ban the midfielder.
"I'm disgusted," she told the Daily Mirror. "To celebrate a goal like this is disrespectful to me and my husband and my boys. He should be given a ban. Norris is doing this in front of thousands of supporters including children, and sending out the wrong message that we can drink and it is OK to kill someone."
Norris, who used to play alongside McCormick at Plymouth Argyle and whose wedding the 25-year-old goalkeeper had been attending the night before the crash in June, has apologised to the Peak family.
"It wasn't a handcuffs sign it was a private message but I can see how people might have seen it like that and I apologise if it's caused any offence," he said. "Luke is a friend of mine. He made a massive mistake and he is paying for that."
Ipswich Town say they will take action to deal with Norris.
Last season Everton refused to punish Tim Cahill when he made a similar gesture to show support for his brother who had been jailed for six years for causing grievous bodily harm.