maddog Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5483133.ece Good on him. Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has launched an astonishing attack on Sir Alex Ferguson, by claiming he is above punishment from the game's governing bodies. The Spaniard says Ferguson is the only manager who is not be reprimanded for outspoken attacks on referees and officials. "I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they [Manchester United] are nervous because we are at the top of the table," Benitez said. "But I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start." Benitez said he wanted to discuss facts and, reading carefully from a piece of paper, he stated the reasons why he felt Ferguson and United had escaped punishment where others had fallen foul. "On November 1, they played Hull [City] and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct," Benitez said. "We started the Respect campaign, and that was when [Javier] Mascherano was sent off [last season] at Old Trafford. The referee [steve Bennett] was the referee when they played against Wigan - he could not see the handball against Wigan by Rio Ferdinand, he did not give a penalty. They won the game and they won the title in this game. "I think it will be the same referee who will be in charge of their game in hand this season [against Wigan]. During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett. He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things." Last week Ferguson accused the Premier League of favouring Liverpool by weighting their schedule with home matches in the early part of the season, however, Benitez refuted those claims. "Then he was talking about the fixtures. Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything. "Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage. But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then. "If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures. "One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know. "Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United. "Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple.
Darkzzz_ Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Interesting. Rafa does has a valid point, but I would have waited until the end of the season. That respect campaign is a load of tosh anyway. A publicity stunt gone wrong.
Sparky Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Rafa trying mind games against the best in the buisness , get your money on United
Webbo Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 It's about time someone told that Scotch tw@t where to get off.
StanSP Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 I love it when someone comes out and berates/scathes/lays into Fergie. I hate the Man utd manager. Always comes up with excuses and never blames his own team for their misfortune. Loved it when I saw this!
Samilktray Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Fergie will probably reply by winning the title... again.
Darkzzz_ Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Fergie will probably reply by winning the title... again. Yes of course he will.
Corky Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Fergie will probably reply by winning the title... again. Probably, but it's good to hear someone counter-acting the comments that Ferguson makes.
ASH17LCFC Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Benitez turned into Keegan ? Only thing missing from that interview was the words LUV IT.
Babylon Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Ferguson went fishing and caught him hook like and sinker. 1-0 Ferguson!!!!!
Koke Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Rafa doesn't realize that he's going up against the best in the business.
Thracian Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5483133.eceGood on him. Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has launched an astonishing attack on Sir Alex Ferguson, by claiming he is above punishment from the game's governing bodies. The Spaniard says Ferguson is the only manager who is not be reprimanded for outspoken attacks on referees and officials. "I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they [Manchester United] are nervous because we are at the top of the table," Benitez said. "But I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start." Benitez said he wanted to discuss facts and, reading carefully from a piece of paper, he stated the reasons why he felt Ferguson and United had escaped punishment where others had fallen foul. "On November 1, they played Hull [City] and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct," Benitez said. "We started the Respect campaign, and that was when [Javier] Mascherano was sent off [last season] at Old Trafford. The referee [steve Bennett] was the referee when they played against Wigan - he could not see the handball against Wigan by Rio Ferdinand, he did not give a penalty. They won the game and they won the title in this game. "I think it will be the same referee who will be in charge of their game in hand this season [against Wigan]. During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett. He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things." Last week Ferguson accused the Premier League of favouring Liverpool by weighting their schedule with home matches in the early part of the season, however, Benitez refuted those claims. "Then he was talking about the fixtures. Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything. "Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage. But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then. "If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures. "One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know. "Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United. "Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple. Can't help but think this is exactly what Ferguson wants. Benitez should smile, sing Ferguson's praises, compliment his players and concentrate simply on plotting his downfall. Then smile again afterwards, remark how fortunate his players were against a terrific United team and just continue to occupy the high ground. Ferguson would never cope. He was born to be combative. He has the cunning of a street fighter. The way to beat him is pleasantly, so he doesn't see the eventual attack until it is too late.
Flynny Posted 9 January 2009 Posted 9 January 2009 Wasn't a scathing attack in the slightest. Calm, reasoned, nothing like Kev. Bollocks.
Ultra Posted 10 January 2009 Posted 10 January 2009 Go on Rafa! Give it to the Scot wankshaft! Dirty Spanish scouse willy puller. It's about time someone told that Scotch tw@t where to get off. I see efforts to kick racism out of football have been really effective.. The rant by Benitez is a case of pot and kettle. Look how many points referees have given Liverpool this season.
dandannieldanok Posted 10 January 2009 Posted 10 January 2009 The rant by Benitez is a case of pot and kettle. Look how many points referees have given Liverpool this season. Very true.
Daggers Posted 10 January 2009 Posted 10 January 2009 Ferguson went fishing and caught him hook like and sinker.1-0 Ferguson!!!!! Exactly - (Said in a Scouse/Spanish accent). What a tool Benitex made himself look.
StanSP Posted 10 January 2009 Posted 10 January 2009 The rant by Benitez is a case of pot and kettle. Look how many points referees have given Liverpool this season. Yeah but I think Man Utd have been given more points this season. Generally, it is seen that the Top 4 clubs get some sort of biased towards them.
Wycombe Fox Posted 10 January 2009 Posted 10 January 2009 I'm not too keen on Ferguson but Benitez has, in my opinion, shot himself in the foot and piled unnecessary pressure on his own team with the rant. He should just be concentrating on keeping Liverpool winning.
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