Hand of a patriot.

Sometimes a moment defines a nation, a career and a dream. Friday July the 2nd 2010, World Cup quarter final, Luis Suarez stretched up his left hand and history was hastily re-written.

The act has been looked at and scrutinised, chastised and praised in equal measure. Critics, such as the BBC's chief sports correspondant Matt Lawton refered to Suarez as an 'enemy of football', but i am unable to do likewise.

In essence Suarez's decision to deny a certain goal that would of given Africa its first ever World Cup semi-finalist is a henous slight against the ethics of the game. A decision that 'robbed' deserving victors of their prize. This would of been all well and good had the incident, in circumstances similar to Diego Maradonna's infamous 1986 'hand of god', gone unnoticed. It wasn't. Suarez was sent off, Uruguay were down to ten men and Ghana were given a penalty. Punishment befitting the crime.

Even at this point Uruaguay were at a huge disadvantage. Down to ten men and having to hope Ghana missed a penalty that, according to studies, they had a 65% chance of scoring. The fact Ghana then went on to miss the penalty is inconsequential. They had the chance.

At the time he struck the ball off the line with his hand Suarez did not have the benefit of foresight to tell him Ghana would miss the penalty. He was simply a patriot, putting himself on the line for the good of his country. The only reason that the 'cheating' furore has been created is because Ghana missed the penalty. They only have themselves to blame and the fact that they have done otherwise is more of a slight against the ethics of fair play than Suarez's handball itself.