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 1 - 13 of 53

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  1. i'm 'disturbed'

    From shahronizan, on Wed 14 Jan 4:09PM

  2. Why has there been rift upon rift any time one of the big four wants to play each other. If Manchester want to play Chelsea for example, either Alex or Scolari will fire a shot first to disorganise Scolari or vice versa. Now Benitez is firing the shots to disorganise Alex, maybe he sees Man U as a moving train and may overtake Liverpool. This scenario had been existing in the league ever since. When Morihno was here, either Wenger will fire the shot to disorganise him or Morihno would. There has been that inter-fight between the big four's teams, fight for supremacy. Benitez was there from the beginning of the season, and was last season too seeing how Alex and match officials fare, but he didn't talk. Why is he talking now. The reason is crystally clear - he wants to distabilise Alex so he will not concentrate on the two games at hand and end up losing or drawing. This way United will still dwell adrift Liverpool. Food for thought. Long Live Arsenal and her Amazing Fans.

    From Luxy, on Wed 14 Jan 4:08PM

  3. thats what sort of idiot you get when you employ foreign coaches. go back to spain you lisping prat

    From maxwellcross, on Wed 14 Jan 4:02PM

  4. benitez is starting this war of words so to try and distract the media from liverpool's collapse.

    From Eric, on Wed 14 Jan 3:58PM

  5. invalid comment? Oh, i'll say the opposite of what i said then- everything is fine at the FA- everyone's lovely and honest- despite all the money at stake...there, that better?

    From banksey, on Wed 14 Jan 2:59PM

  6. Welcome to big time Benitez!!!

    From Oliver, on Wed 14 Jan 2:52PM

  7. Benitez is absolutely right,he starts this war of words with clear focus,to put eye on lobbying,it is not secret that exist not just in england ,but we must admit that money and lobbying where pretty much great assistance for the succes of m utd in the recent years.

    From Nikola, on Wed 14 Jan 2:50PM

  8. A drowning man and a straw came to mind. Who's next Rafa? Don't forget the tea ladies as well.

    From cokrowinoto, on Wed 14 Jan 2:42PM

  9. THE GUY NEEDS A BRAIN TRANSPLANT.

    From L H, on Wed 14 Jan 1:48PM

  10. Does MR. Benitez expect to slay David with a few kidney stones???

    From Richard K, on Wed 14 Jan 1:40PM

  11. Benitez enters a gunfight armed with a Castilian lisp.

    From Richard K, on Wed 14 Jan 1:39PM

  12. OFFICIAL...REUTERS CONFIRM...CITY'S GROUND TO BE RENAMED "THE SHEEP'S EYEBALL ARENA"

    From fluffy.bits, on Wed 14 Jan 1:38PM

  13. benitez is entering into a war of words he cannot win.

    From aleksicn93, on Wed 14 Jan 1:32PM
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