Championship - Norris denies making gesture

Eurosport - Tue, 11 Nov 10:07:00 2008

Ipswich midfielder David Norris has denied making a handcuff gesture in his goal celebrations at the weekend.

2008 Ipswich David Norris - 0

After scoring at Bloomfield Road on Saturday, Norris appeared to make the gesture in support of his jailed former Plymouth team-mate Luke McCormick.

McCormick is serving seven years and four months for causing the deaths of Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight, in a car accident when he was under the influence of alcohol earlier this summer on his way home from Norris' wedding.

The boys' mother Amanda Peak has since spoken of the hurt she felt upon seeing Norris' celebration, while Ipswich responded by fining the player and warning him of his future conduct.

Norris has now though claimed his celebration has been misinterpreted and that it was not a handcuff gesture or personal message to McCormick.

"Further to the club statement earlier today I would like to reiterate my wholehearted apology for the upset my goal celebration at Blackpool has caused," read a statement by Norris released on the club's official website.

"I would like to stress that I made no handcuff gesture or personal message to Luke McCormick. I can now see how my actions have been misinterpreted and for that and any distress that this has caused the Peak family I am truly sorry. I would never act so insensitively after such a tragedy.

"When I woke up this morning to the media coverage's interpretation of the celebration, I was obviously very upset. People who know me know I'm a decent family man and I would never do anything intentionally to upset another family.

"I have heard the comments from the Peak family since the club issued a statement and I would like to thank them for their understanding.

"I will be contacting the family in the near future to speak to them personally and I would also like to apologise to Ipswich Town Football Club for the embarrassment caused."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 29 - 48 of 48

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  1. taff ,are u brain dead u must be u must not have kids have u

    From Paul S, on Tue 11 Nov 3:05AM
  2. I am a sexy big black beauty, I feel lonely, What I really need is some new friends, Feel free to chat with me on __ K iS sMi llionaireS C om_ for hot guys and girls to flirt with each other

    From mixedbeaugirl, on Tue 11 Nov 1:03AM
  3. BAN HIM
    he is a disgrace
    and he plays for ipswich
    BAN HIM

    OTBC

    From canariesponderman, on Mon 10 Nov 10:28PM
  4. shanesmith! David norris is young give him a break in my 20s i done years for my f**k ups!This countrys back to front its easy getting angry with a footballers mistake but real dirty low life scum like gary g can come back to the uk and is soon forgot about by you witch hunting idiots. dave quinn

    From abigail.henshall@..., on Mon 10 Nov 9:26PM
  5. Not abigail my names dave quinn ! david norris portman rds 110 per cent behind you mate as you cant take the blame for your mates actions COME ON YOU BLUES!

    From abigail.henshall@..., on Mon 10 Nov 8:47PM
  6. This was'nt a spur of the moment celebration, he's obviously decided before the match this is what he wants to do if he scores, therefore making the gesture even worse.

    From parky.6969, on Mon 10 Nov 8:24PM
  7. Abigail,I know he did not kill the lads, but the least he could have done is respect the greif the parents are going through, it is THAT he is guilty of!

    From shanesmith1958, on Mon 10 Nov 8:19PM
  8. Abigail, please dont forget, if he wanted to support his mate, he could go & vist him, he had no need to show the world what a total t**t he is!

    From shanesmith1958, on Mon 10 Nov 8:14PM
  9. Shanesmith! david norris did not kill the poor young lads LOOK AT YOURSELF AND HAVE A GOOD HARD LOOK YOU FREE FROM SIN D**K

    From abigail.henshall@..., on Mon 10 Nov 8:13PM
  10. Old hilldog bet if you had your way you would have them both hung? Look at what your passing on to your 4 grandkids HATE HATE HATE. DAVE QUINN

    From abigail.henshall@..., on Mon 10 Nov 8:10PM
  11. The fact remains that he clearly has no understanding of the insensitivity of his actions, & to celebrate like he did in front of tens of thousands of people shows he is of little educational standing!! He chooses to forget that his mate has KILLED two innocent lads & has affected the lives of all the family members, to show that disrespect the the parents of those boys just beggars belief, & I truly hope he hangs his head in shame!!!

    From shanesmith1958, on Mon 10 Nov 8:07PM
  12. Being an ipswich fan maybe norris was a silly lad doing what he did but on the other hand we all f**k up in life some more than others i know i f**ked up big time in my 20s and paid the price for a few years! i feel very sorry for the young lads that where killed and for the parents left behind peace and love to their family but all norris was doing was showing his mate who f**ked up big time he was not alone! I and many others have drunk drove in the past and i was lucky not to kill or be killed doing it! all the pepole posting hate mesgs to norris and his mate need to point the finger at themselfs ARE YOU FREE FROM SIN? dave quinn

    From abigail.henshall@..., on Mon 10 Nov 7:54PM
  13. I feel sorry for the parents ,they have to put up with scum like these.they should be made to say sorry and mean, it also ban them from playing.Hit them where it hurts,in their pockets.

    FROM A GRANDAD WITH FOUR GRANDSONS.

    From oldhilldog, on Mon 10 Nov 7:48PM
  14. No Daniel I agree with glyndavis whole heartedly that both your comments and those of Lee b are at the very least insensitive and downright insulting to a mother and father who are open to attack like this when their only act was to lose two sons to an overpaid footballer who seems to think that the rules don't apply to him. As for his mate if he wants to show solidarity for his mate inside go and visit or write him a letter not influence brain dead morons like yourself to write such vile drivel.

    From JohnBoylew, on Mon 10 Nov 7:18PM
  15. Also, its why I dont live in England, too dangerous.

    From daniel, on Mon 10 Nov 7:16PM
  16. @glyndavis, I see a little sick humour isnt appreciated round here.

    From daniel, on Mon 10 Nov 7:04PM
  17. i agree with epo but have to say sickened by daniels comment, insensitive springs to mind and i just hope a drunken @#$% dosnt mow your kids down and kill em , thats if you have it in you to have kids you @#$%

    From glyndavis36@..., on Mon 10 Nov 6:49PM
  18. What a w anker, I hope he's ashamed of himself. Taking the piss and having a laugh is generally ok with young blokes but, when it centres around a drunken fu ckwit who should have his @#$% smashed in with a large hammer then its a different story.
    A bit of consideration would'nt go a miss especially when it involves the death of two young lads. What a @#$%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From parky.6969, on Mon 10 Nov 6:44PM
  19. For God's sake show a bit of levity. Norris was insensitive and stupid. But he did not kill the boys himself.

    Ipswich have reacted well and the apology, fine and charity donation should draw a line under the whole distasteful episode.

    On the ball city!

    From EPO_78, on Mon 10 Nov 6:15PM
  20. What a splendid role-model this footballer is to young boys, who idolise the players of the great game - except the two young lads that his mate slaughtered that is.
    The arrogant impression that is given is that if you can play football, you can do what you like and people will support you. This is bringing the game itself and the attitudes of it's supporters into total disrepute. Think on.

    From Michael & Renée, on Mon 10 Nov 5:48PM
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