Benitez in rant against Fergie
Liverpool's Rafael Benitez launches attack on Sir Alex Ferguson
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Friday, 09, Jan 2009 10:39
Rafael Benitez has launched an astonishing attack on rival manager Sir Alex Ferguson over his complaints about a range of issues, from refereeing to fixture lists.
In a bizarre press conference to preview Liverpool's fixture at Stoke City this weekend, Benitez accused the Manchester United boss of attempting to start Premier League title race 'mind games' early.
Earlier this week, Ferguson said he thought the Reds would get nervous as the season continued because it has been so long since the team were last involved in a title race.
But Benitez rejected any such suggestion, saying: "I was surprised [by Ferguson's comments] but I have to talk about facts.
"I think that is important. I think they [United] are nervous because we are at the top of the table.
"I want to be clear. I don't want to play mind games too early and I think that they want to start."
He also hit out at Ferguson's treatment of referees and matchday officials, saying he is jeopardising the much-publicised 'Respect' campaign being run by the Football Association.
"We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the respect campaign," Benitez continued.
"And I was very clear - forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson is killing the referees, killing Mr [Martin] Atkinson, killing Mr [Keith] Hackett.
"But I have seen some facts. On November1st, they played Hull and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct.
"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."
Benitez then hit out against Ferguson's repeated criticism of the fixture lists, and the United boss' perceived attempts to create a siege mentality within his team by suggesting the authorities are against his club.
"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," Benitez explained.
"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.
"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."
Benitez concluded with a tongue-in-cheek jibe directed at his opposite number: "There is another option - Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. Simple."