Rafael Benitez Launches Fierce Attack On Sir Alex Ferguson

It is not like Rafael Benitez to suddenly lay into one of his rival managers, but today he could not resist firing an almighty attack on the Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson for his constant criticism of Premier League referees.

Benitez claims that Ferguson is the “only manager who will not be punished for verbally attacking referees.”

At his weekly press conference, the Liverpool boss was responding to Ferguson's midweek comment that nerves might ruin Liverpool's title bid, before issuing his own tirade against the United boss.

He said: "I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they (Manchester United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table.”

The Spaniard then pulled out a sheet of paper and read out a list of accusations about Ferguson's conduct regarding referees, the respect campaign and fixture lists.

"I want to talk about facts," he said. "I want to be clear; I do not want to play mind games too early, although they (United) seem to want to start.

"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.

"How can you talk about the Respect campaign and yet criticise the referee every single week?

"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.

"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.

"To complain and to always have an advantage is not fair."

The FA and Premier League may have a thing or two to say about Benitez’s comments, but I believe he is right to point out Ferguson’s ways of working with referees.

It is certainly true that he gets away with murder sometimes when he criticises officials for their performance after United matches, while managers of lower clubs are fined for saying much less.

Good on Benitez I say. The FA and Premier League will probably go and ban him though. Oh dear.