Rafa rips into Ferguson

[Jennings]

I did like the bit where he recommends Chelsea take a zonal marking approach, as the Utd staff will be man-to-man on the referee.

[rudedog]

Graham Poll backs Rafa's words.....

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/01/10/SOCCER_Liverpool_Benitez_Poll.html

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll has backed Rafael Benitez's claim that Sir Alex Ferguson receives lenient treatment from the Football Association.

Liverpool manager Benitez blasted his Manchester United counterpart on Friday, alleging Ferguson does not get punished sufficiently for his sometimes outspoken criticism of match officials.

"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 (referees' chief) Keith Hackett," the Spaniard said.

"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 criticise the referee every single week?"

Poll was considered the Barclays Premier League's top official until his retirement at the end of the 2006-07 season.

He enjoyed a good relationship with Ferguson, who even phoned Poll to offer him support in the wake of his gaffe at the 2006 World Cup, when he showed Croatia's Josip Simunic three yellow cards.

But the former referee agrees with Benitez's suggestion that the United boss receives preferential treatment from FA disciplinary chiefs.

"Rafa Benitez has articulated what referees have been thinking for years - that Sir Alex Ferguson can say what he wants about them and the FA will allow him to get away with it," he told the Daily Mail.

"The authorities could point to Ferguson's two-match ban imposed earlier this season as proof that he is not out of reach of their disciplinary department, but that was for marching onto the field after the 4-3 win over Hull and for comments made directly to the referee, Mike Dean, who in reporting the misconduct forced the FA's hand."

[red g]

i have mixed feelings about this one.

on one hand, he's clearly stated 'facts' and given fergie both barrels. clearly this is good and i'd like to think it was a kind of declaration of war.

however, it could well give a boost to them i think. he can say 'don't worry lads, ive got him where i want him and they'll be dropping points, you just go play your football, beat chelski and the advantage is ours'

it doesnt change anything for us really tho does it. we have to win our games.

what will it look like if we don't beat stoke? bit of a big own goal that one isnt it.

isnt that the point, the fact that rafa feels he is in a position to be able to do this? makes it all the better?

There is no doubt that this was cold, calculated and timed to perfection. Mr Ferguson......when was the last time someone didnt call him sir, love it !!!

[Kenneth]

Graham Poll backs Rafa's words.....

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/01/10/SOCCER_Liverpool_Benitez_Poll.html

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll has backed Rafael Benitez's claim that Sir Alex Ferguson receives lenient treatment from the Football Association.

Liverpool manager Benitez blasted his Manchester United counterpart on Friday, alleging Ferguson does not get punished sufficiently for his sometimes outspoken criticism of match officials.

"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 (referees' chief) Keith Hackett," the Spaniard said.

"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 criticise the referee every single week?"

Poll was considered the Barclays Premier League's top official until his retirement at the end of the 2006-07 season.

He enjoyed a good relationship with Ferguson, who even phoned Poll to offer him support in the wake of his gaffe at the 2006 World Cup, when he showed Croatia's Josip Simunic three yellow cards.

But the former referee agrees with Benitez's suggestion that the United boss receives preferential treatment from FA disciplinary chiefs.

"Rafa Benitez has articulated what referees have been thinking for years - that Sir Alex Ferguson can say what he wants about them and the FA will allow him to get away with it," he told the Daily Mail.

"The authorities could point to Ferguson's two-match ban imposed earlier this season as proof that he is not out of reach of their disciplinary department, but that was for marching onto the field after the 4-3 win over Hull and for comments made directly to the referee, Mike Dean, who in reporting the misconduct forced the FA's hand."

Music to Rafa's ears that I'd think. Anyone else want to jump on board the bandwagon and give it yet more focus?

[beabeasdad]

I think it was a clever ploy by Rafa.

Ferg starts questioning our players bottle for the run in last week.

Rafa sticks his head above the parapet and deflects all the media attention onto himself.

He's in the firing line now, not the squad and they will play even harder for him.

[Cormack74]

Sky reporting that the FA will investigate Rafa's comments.

Oh the irony.

[TheElephantMan]

Sky reporting that the FA will investigate Rafa's comments.

Oh the irony.

They're going to investigate the FACTs?! Let's hope they do!

[JohnDoe]

If the FA are foolish enough to charge Rafa for his comments, it'll backfire for them big time.

[Vermilion]

I think it was a clever ploy by Rafa.

Ferg starts questioning our players bottle for the run in last week.

Rafa sticks his head above the parapet and deflects all the media attention onto himself.

He's in the firing line now, not the squad and they will play even harder for him.

Great overview of what Rafa has done here.

I think he's achieved a bit more too, behind the scenes the Referees will all be going..... "Spot on Rafa, we couldn't say it...but well done to you for doing so". ( or words to that effect)

[Vermilion]

If the FA are foolish enough to charge Rafa for his comments, it'll backfire for them big time.

That would only serve to prove Rafa's point wouldn't it.

George Graham just said Rafa is right, why should Fergie have a monopoly on speaking out, Rafa is giving a bit back..well done.

[kingfunk]

Charge him with what? For having balls? Mr Fergison must have been crying down the phone to the FA lastnight.

[beabeasdad]

Great overview of what Rafa has done here.

I think he's achieved a bit more too, behind the scenes the Referees will all be going..... "Spot on Rafa, we couldn't say it...but well done to you for doing so". ( or words to that effect)

Thanks. Your point was spot on too!

[Exiled_red]

Sky reporting that the FA will investigate Rafa's comments.

Oh the irony.

Does that mean they are investigating the points that Rafa made? Or they are looking to do Rafa for saying them?

I'm guessing the latter knowing the FA

...although this shows they can act quickly if they want to, obviously they don't want to very often!

[michelmas]

I can't help thinking that Rafa has Madrid behind him on this one. The antipathy that has developed between the "Mr" man and the Real directors over the Ronaldo saga and more recents events might have a little to do with the personal invective.

If someone kept badmouthing LFC in the ear shot of one of our ex-managers, you can be sure that he'd be well pissed about it.

[Vermilion]

Have the FA said they are investigating what Ferguscum said, his BLATANT insinuation that the fixture list is crooked and FIXED to be anti Scum, and so following, that he then must be...accusing the FA of FRAUD!!!!!

What are they doing about that ?.