Premier League - Benitez savages 'killer' Fergie

Eurosport - Sat, 10 Jan 10:05:00 2009

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has launched an astonishing attack on his Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.

2008-2009 Liverpool Rafa Benitez - 0

The Spaniard claimed United boss Ferguson is "the only manager who will not be punished" for outspoken attacks on referees.

Benitez claimed: "We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the respect campaign.

"And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr (Martin) Atkinson, killing Mr (Keith) Hackett."

Benitez is clearly irked by the lenient way he sees Ferguson treated by the FA, and hit back at the Old Trafford chief's complaints about how the fixtures are compiled.

But the Spaniard's long list of complaints about the world and European champions was not an angry rant. It was a measured, controlled delivery at the media conference ahead of the Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke.

Liverpool are top - and if they win tomorrow they will be six points clear of second-placed Chelsea and 10 ahead of the champions before the pair meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Benitez sat with a sheet of paper, unfolded in front of him, from which he read a catalogue of grievances against the Manchester United regime.

Ferguson's complaints about supposed favouritism over fixtures prompted Benitez to say: "I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they are nervous because we are at the top of the table.

"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 believes Ferguson is getting away with attacks on referees which would not be tolerated from other managers.

He said: "All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.

"We need to know that I am talking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.

"Are they under pressure? Maybe they were not thinking that we would be at the top of the table in January. But we are at the top of the table and they are nervous.

"I am not telling the authorities what to do. But I have been here for five years and know how things are going on."

Benitez added: "To hear someone talking when he has problems with referees every single week, and now complaining about the fixtures and complaining about everything, I think that is not fair.

"You can see every week how they put (referees) under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before.

"We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off.

"It is part of the game. But to complain and to always have an advantage is not fair.

"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 (the FA's) Keith Hackett.

"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things.

"How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week.

"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 December 29 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.

"One is (to have the same system) 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 rights 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.

"There is another option. Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple.

Benitez finished off by criticising the conduct of United officials when Liverpool play matches at Old Trafford.

He added: "We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff.

"They are always going man-to-man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking..."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. I remember even last season RAF had some stupid comment­ about Sir Fagie but finally he was the herro. Being in­ top of table dont think you will win the title! Manutd­ will always be the winner or the second run-up.
    Just­ look guys! RAFcalls Sir. Alex as Mr. Alex?, dont you­ know by calling him Mr. Furgie is not only you dis­ respect the coach but also the Queen of England?
    RAF is­ not confortable with Sir fagie success

    From Leons, on Sun 15 Nov 9:34AM

  2. ha ha ha. Every time I read it I still laugh. Benitass­ is funny. Thanks Liverpoo for bringing him to PL.

    From Half A Brain, on Tue 24 Feb 10:40AM

  3. Ferguson the coward and wife basher like his son truth­ hurts think about it when a fellow scot hit him he ran­ to the cops help he hit me cry baby.
    but a real man­ would have hit back but again he is a manc now like­ when all the scots came there where was the mancs­ hiding in there wee houses like the cops that ran from­ them like i said sh.t bags cowards.
    NETHER MIND­ FERGUSON TRUTH HURTS YOU ARE NOUTHING BUT A BIG GRY­ BABY FROM A SCOT THAT NO.S HIM WELL why do Aberdeen­ hate him for ?and he will never be a Scotland manger­ cause we don't want a coward and a wife basher

    From donald, on Mon 12 Jan 2:25PM

  4. Ferguson the coward and wife basher like his son truth­ hurts think about it when a fellow scot hit him he ran­ to the cops help he hit me cry baby.
    but a real man­ would have hit back but again he is a manc now like­ when all the scots came there where was the mancs­ hiding in there wee houses like the cops that ran from­ them like i said sh.t bags cowards.
    NETHER MIND­ FERGUSON TRUTH HURTS YOU ARE NOUTHING BUT A BIG GRY­ BABY FROM A SCOT THAT NO.S HIM WELL why do Aberdeen­ hate him for ?and he will never be a Scotland manger­ cause we don't want a coward and a wife basher

    From donald, on Mon 12 Jan 2:21PM

  5. lol, about time @#$% face fergie had a good taste of­ his old medicine, Rafa has had the balls to say what­ every non manc thinks.

    From nerys018, on Mon 12 Jan 11:05AM

  6. One of the most respected English referees ( Graham­ Poll- the only Brittish ref at the last world cup)­ agrees with Rafa Benitez. But I suppose that means­ nothing because the English are always moaning about­ foreigners so having a dig at them is more important.­ Shamefull really, considering foreigners are the reason­ for the premier league and its high status in world­ football. Ignorant fools who's pride is too­ important to accept the truth.

    From dom S, on Mon 12 Jan 10:44AM

  7. 839 you sound a worried little figure, just like pizza­ face ferGUFson.
    ­ YNWA.

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Mon 12 Jan 10:13AM

  8. Anyone know the best thing that came out of Liverpool­ for years now.......the M6 lol.Even the beatles were­ rubbish,as was Cilla Black and Jimmy Tarbuck.Loud mouth­ scousers all of them...lets see who laughs the longest­ when Man.Utd are top in the next week or so...from a­ life long Manu supporter of 51 years!

    From Barry P, on Sun 11 Jan 11:03PM

  9. its about time big gob ferguson gotg in his thestre cof­ wet dreams and grew up
    he must be thed most detested­ man in football

    From dan, on Sun 11 Jan 8:23PM

  10. this RANT IS NOT LOOKIN SO GOOD NOW POOL FANS IS IT­ AFTER YER 0-0 WITH STOKE HA HA HA HA

    From anthony h, on Sat 10 Jan 9:35PM

  11. Rafa should listen to himself and have some respect­ too, refering to Fergie as "Mr Ferguson" is­ disrespectful. Amigo please note, the name is Sir Alex­ ok? Anyway, Rafa's outbust is a calculated attempt­ to deflect attention from his troubled Captain.
    With­ the Captain now court marshalled, the MV Liverpool­ cruise ship is running aground it seems. Smooth sailing­ for title no 11 Fergie!

    From George, on Sat 10 Jan 9:32PM

  12. Utd scared Rafa??? I think you have just reeled out­ your excuses now if you dont win the league!

    From David, on Sat 10 Jan 8:31PM

  13. what a idiot rafa is,why would he embarrass himself and­ his team like that i dont support man u or liverpool,­ but liverpool are at the top at minute not that they­ will be there 4 long,i agree with philfrazer liverpool­ are the team that get away with so much.its about time­ the refs stood up 2 them

    From PAULA K, on Sat 10 Jan 7:20PM

  14. ha ha ha scouse rafa's lost it and fergie wets­ himself laughing at the scouse wannabe he should start­ a club with that other prat wenger.........give a few­ games and Utd and chelsea will be looking down on them­ with Villa on their tails..bottles gone scousers

    From euromong, on Sat 10 Jan 7:00PM

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    Do you love traveling and have some experience?­ Just find me out.

    From Lecce X, on Sat 10 Jan 6:03PM

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    From , on Sat 10 Jan 5:33PM

  17. I think it's the funniest thing i've seen since­ Kevin Keegan lost his cool. What a wally he looked!

    From philippa, on Sat 10 Jan 5:19PM

  18. i agree with rafa statement that fergie is the worst­ manager in EPL actually...talk rubbish,try to­ @#$%...just look at his arrogant player,ronaldo got­ his reward already as he got an accident­ yesterday...what a great news...@#####

    From upin, on Sat 10 Jan 5:08PM

  19. Don`t be blind people ,Rafa was waiting for this moment­ to start direct attack on scums ........... he knew­ that ferguson will try to play them (as its not secret­ - fergie is well read book ).
    And know every one are­ (and they will be talking) about scums and their­ CHEAT manager ,so he is just lifting the pressure from­ LFC players at his important period of time.

    From Nikola, on Sat 10 Jan 4:48PM

  20. This is rubbish, there has been several times this­ season that players such as Carragher and Gerrard­ should've been sent off but haven't because of­ the influence of their vicious players. There was a­ point where Carragher was commiting an offence that­ would've conceded a penalty for any other team,­ every week for about 2 months either this season or­ last, and I think he may've given away 1 penalty­ with a booking at most during that time. Looks to me­ like the pressure has got to Rafa. Not to mention that­ either last season or the season before Chelsea and­ Liverpool both only gave away 1 penalty each at their­ respective home grounds, whilst Man U gave away 3, but­ you can NEVER get a penalty at Old Trafford...

    From philfrazer, on Sat 10 Jan 4:47PM
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