Premier League - Gill hits back at Benitez

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Jan 17:41:00 2009

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has fired back at Rafael Benitez, saying the Liverpool boss "missed the boat completely" by suggesting he had a conflict of interest.

2009 Manchester United David Gill - 0

Benitez, who had earlier accused United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson of hypocrisy and serial whingeing, returned to the fray on Monday to point a finger at Gill, a senior figure at the Football Association.

"Is there a conflict of interest with David Gill at the FA?" asked Benitez, whose side could be overtaken by United at the top of the Premier League if the Red Devils win their two games in hand against Wigan and Bolton.

"That is another fact. It is a fact that one person has a lot of power and control, and is on a lot of committees in the FA. To me that is very strange."

But Gill, who was in Macau to launch United's 2009 tour of Asia, which will take them to China, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia, dismissed the comments as "pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme of things".

He said he acts on behalf of the 20 Premier League teams, not just United, in his role at the FA. Phil Gartside, chairman of Bolton Wanderers, and Premier League Chairman Dave Richards also sit on the association's board.

"I was elected over the summer by the Premier League clubs. I'm very clear in my role," he said. "I think it is totally incorrect to assert that (there is a conflict of interest).

"It's not how I work. I do not think I would have been elected for the last two years if that was the case... He missed the boat completely."

Ferguson has already responded to Benitez's initial comments, saying there was "a lot of venom" in what he said.

"He is obviously disturbed about something," Ferguson added after watching his English, European and world champions thump title rivals Chelsea 3-0 -- a day after Liverpool could manage only a goalless draw with Stoke.

"When he reflects on it he must realise what a ridiculous thing he is saying."

Until now, Benitez had enjoyed a fairly cordial relationship with his Manchester United counterpart.

The Spaniard has his own problems to sort out at Anfield, with reports saying he is in another stand-off with the club's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Benitez reportedly wants the terms of his new contract to include complete control over transfer policy as well as a greater say over how the club's academy is run, although he has played this down.

"I don't have any problems at all with the American owners," he insisted to the Liverpool Echo.

Bentiez still has 18 months remaining on his existing contract, but said in November that negotiations had begun on new terms.

AFP

Comment 14 - 33 of 53

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  1. WILL YOU LEAVE THE MAN ALONE MAAAAAAAAANNNNEEE!!!!!!!

    From Wilson-M, on Wed 14 Jan 7:26PM

  2. It is always been the same with fergie,he would always lose it if the game(ref) didnt go his way,i believe it is because of the man thong he is wearing

    From 2000rs, on Wed 14 Jan 7:17PM

  3. SAMIRIDAJAL IS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THESE FANATICS WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT,PERHAPS THE POLICE WILL CATCH THIS INDIVIDUAL SOON AND PUT IT WHERE IT BELONGS,A SANITARIUM PERHAPS.YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO HUMAN KIND,WHAT AS THE TRAGEDY IN PALESTINE GOT TO DO WITH THIS ARTICLE.

    From Tankerman, on Wed 14 Jan 7:06PM

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    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP, CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - UEFA CUP AND MUCH MORE

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    From , on Wed 14 Jan 6:59PM

  5. samiridajal. wtf man? eu shud visit hitler and have a drink with him some time.

    From SportsGyrl, on Wed 14 Jan 6:53PM

  6. My God (sorry jews), just because Liverpool draw their recent match everyone is saying they are doomed. Why don't you put curse on Manchester United? Yes that's their real name. They deserve nothing from their cheating ways. Luck is one thing, cheating is another, skill is something else so roll on Arsenal!

    From slivatree, on Wed 14 Jan 6:48PM

  7. Poo!

    From slivatree, on Wed 14 Jan 6:41PM

  8. alan.brewster1965, dream on u idiot u will not be on this earth when the scum win the league next, im sick and tired of hearing u lot this is the year were going to win it ye right dream on sad scousers

    From Taffy G, on Wed 14 Jan 6:37PM

  9. samiridajal dont swear at jews cause although i aint one everybody should be treated wiv due respect including jews rafael benitez (i h8t him but he still deserves respect) and everyone else in the world (including stupid real madrid)

    From Man Utd Gal 17, on Wed 14 Jan 6:34PM

  10. give it 5 yrs and the top 4 will be utd chelsea aston villa and everton

    From Man Utd Gal 17, on Wed 14 Jan 6:32PM

  11. who else thinks this year is marking the end of the big 4 domination?
    cuz aston villa are gettin better and better and better
    tottenham have the talent but not the stability, if they sort out theyre problems then they shud come good.
    and man city with their huge piles of cash, the only way is up 4 them
    plus arsenal are losing their place already

    From davidbanks15, on Wed 14 Jan 6:13PM

  12. Benitez is the only one that has the balls to enter into a war of words with Ferguson, where everyone else @#$% foots around Ferguson

    From davidbanks15, on Wed 14 Jan 5:57PM

  13. samiridajal your a really sick person - seek some mental help

    From davidbanks15, on Wed 14 Jan 5:52PM

  14. samiridajal you have been reported for racist and anti semetic abuse - I hope you are banned for life - and I am not even Jewish!

    From joannepepler, on Wed 14 Jan 5:46PM

  15. benitez is right and only mufc fans disagree scouse reds will rise above the mancs

    From alan.brewster1965, on Wed 14 Jan 5:34PM

  16. samiridajal you dumbass idiot....Do you realize what tou are saying? Moron! Hitler was an evil man....

    From shivo3003, on Wed 14 Jan 5:34PM

  17. Does Benitez not realise that Brian Barwick is a well known Liverpool fan? I know he has just left his post but he was still there for the last three years as Chief Exec of the FA

    From Alex B, on Wed 14 Jan 5:32PM

  18. who the hell moderates these pages to allow such comments as the one just made by samiridajal!!!!...sir you are an idiot!!!!...i won't waste my breath and time trying to explain to you why!

    From marek_griffith, on Wed 14 Jan 5:25PM

  19. Damn, Benitez has totally lost it.

    From Claudiu Z, on Wed 14 Jan 4:42PM

  20. GILL YOU BELONG TO ManUre AND AMONG THE BIG FOUR THE ONLY ONE AS THE CHAIRPERSONS IN THE ASSOCIATION BOARD.WHY? WHY ARE MEMBERS OF THE OFTHER THREE NOT INCLUDED TOO?NOOOO THAT IS CHEATING.I THINK THE CHAIR PERSONS OF THE ASSOCIATION BOARD SHOULD BE RESHUFFLED TO INCLUDE THOSE OF THE OTHER BIG THREE TO BALANCE THE SAYINGS IN THE HOUSE.OTHERWISE NO ONE CAN BEAT FERGIE IN HIS MIND GAMES

    From Michael, on Wed 14 Jan 4:40PM
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