A footballer's handcuff gesture is drawing criticism
- 00:02:14
- ITN
A footballer's handcuff gesture is drawing criticism
A footballer has been condemned for gesturing to drink-drive goalie Luke McCormick during a goal celebration. Amanda Peak, whose two young sons were killed by McCormick in a motorway crash, has spoken of her disgust at Ipswich player David Norris who apparently gestured at his friend. Mrs Peak said Norris should be punished by his club for making what looked like a "handcuffs" sign after scoring the only goal in Ipswich's win at Blackpool on Saturday. The Football Association said it had written to Norris asking for an explanation and Ipswich Town officials are meeting to discuss the incident. The 26-year-old player admitted the gesture was a "private" message intended for former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper McCormick, who is serving seven years and four months for causing the deaths of Arron Peak, ten, and his brother Ben, eight. McCormick had spent much of the night before the crash partying at Norris's wedding and was twice the drink-drive limit when he smashed into a car carrying the youngsters on the M6 in Staffordshire on June 7. Mrs Peak, from Partington, Manchester, said the apparent show of solidarity was an "insult" to her sons' memory. "I'm disgusted. To celebrate a goal like that is disrespectful to me and my husband and my boys. He should be given a ban by his club," she said. "Norris is doing this in front of thousands of supporters, including children, and sending out the wrong message that we can drink and drive and it's OK to kill someone." Norris denied making a "handcuffs" gesture and apologised for causing offence. He said: "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. Luke is a friend of mine. He made a massive mistake and is paying for that." Mrs Peak's husband Phil was at the wheel of the Toyota Previa people carrier which was hit by McCormick's Range Rover. He wears a neckbrace and may have to undergo surgery to ease his constant pain. After McCormick's sentence was handed out last month, the couple expressed disappointment that he will be eligible for parole in three-and-a-half years.
ITN | November 10, 2008
