Anfield chief Benitez has responded to another one of Ferguson’s classic mind game tactics where the Man Utd boss commented that Liverpool may not be able to handle the pressure whilst at the summit of the Premier League. 

.

Of course, Ferguson is only repeating what many football fans around the country may believe themselves – but Ferguson knows that one thing is a bunch of lads down the pub or an internet chatroom might say and quite another what he, as a top manager in the game says to the world’s media.

 

Benitez has taken great exception as if he has finally had enough of Ferguson’s media jousting and provocation, and with the aid of a prepared fact-sheet, began to read out his charges to Ferguson and makes insinuations over the special treatment he appears to enjoy with referees and the football authorities.

"We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the respect campaign,” said Benitez.

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

"But I have seen some facts. On 1st November, 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).

The Bennett/Wigan point is a valid a painful reminder for Chelsea fans – the penalty decision was key as was also the mystifying refusal of Bennett to send off Scholes for deliberating shunting a Wigan player off the ball after already producing the yellow card for the Man Utd midfielder in an identical situation and against the same player earlier in the game.

Benitez went on with regard to Ferguson avoiding punishment with the FA and the Ferguson’s complaints about the way the Premier League arrange the fixtures:

"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.

"I was surprised 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.

"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 has 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."

That last paragraph is sure to get Ferguson reaching for the wine bottle in a huff, but whilst he pours himself a glass he might do well to remember that Chelsea last season also played the other three clubs of the so called “top four” all away before playing any of them at home.

Some Chelsea fans have had a bit of a laugh at the expense of Benitez and the extraordinary manner in which he has launched this attack on Ferguson but they would do well to remember that this could ironically help out a gagged Big Phil and is pretty much a continuance and no different to Mourinho´s media broadsides towards Ferguson.

"Maybe when I turn 60 and have been managing in the same league for 20 years and have the respect of everybody I will have the power to speak to people and make them tremble a little bit," said Mourinho once about Ferguson.

Mourinho came in for stern criticism from Keith Hackett, the head of the referees' organisation, in this instance after criticising the referee over a penalty decision whilst playing against Man Utd.

"Sometimes managers have grounds for comments, and I note that, but a referee’s integrity has been questioned. That is offensive and should be avoided. Mr Mourinho should look at the facts."

The problem for Hackett is that we know the referee’s integrity IS questionable after ex-referee Graham Poll’s recent radio interview when he surprisingly pointed out that if a referee is officiating at Old Trafford for example (and he used that example) for a league match and he knows he has a chance of refereeing say, a cup semi-final which Man Utd are playing a few weeks later, then that ref is influenced not to upset Ferguson too much!

Liverpool play away at Stoke on Saturday and could move 10 points clear of Man United who are currently in third position but with what will be three games in hand.  The Liverpool match takes place on the eve of the Man Utd/Chelsea clash.

Scolari, through a combination of probable instructions from the Chelsea board and his intermediate English is restricted from going too overboard on criticism of officials or other manager’s mind-game tactics.

There’s no doubt that we do miss the pressure that Mourinho could exert on referees to counter the Ferguson dominance and influence, but with Man Utd coming up at Old Trafford this weekend, Benitez may have almost done the job for us – and who knows, should Chelsea pick up the three points this weekend, Benitez may well rue the day at the end of the season .

. 

Video - The Benitez rant in full:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAyVzTW8StA

Mourinho on Ferguson:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=s1sOogu_wFc&feature=related

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Hackett Sort It Out!!!

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Chelsea F.C. Poll