Liverpool fc official statement

[Ataturk]

Rafa Benitez today attended an FA hearing in Manchester that considered three charges brought against him following Liverpool's opening game of the season at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Commission found that two of the allegations relating to comments made about the match referee were not proven and therefore dismissed.

On a third, the Commission accepted that a gesture made with a pair of spectacles was 'in a non-malicious and humorous manner' and taking into account Mr Benitez's previous unblemished record, warned him about his future conduct. No fine was imposed or costs awarded against the Liverpool manager.

The Commission also expressed their surprise at the failure of the FA to charge another manager who had made a similar gesture the same weekend.

so who is the other manager who made the similar gesture?

[Pablo]

It was Mr Ferguson again was it not?

[Shaggy]

It was Mr Ferguson again was it not?

The same weekend? First weekend of the season? Not so sure it's Ferguson this time...for once.

[Pablo]

Yeah you're probably right, I just checked and they beat Birmingham 1-0 that Sunday, so he wouldnt have had anything too much to moan about.

[Shaggy]

So he was found guilty of the glasses thing ...is it me or does the Offal statement make out he was cleared of all charges?

Rafael Benitez was today warned about his future conduct towards officials and found guilty of misconduct for mocking the referee of Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend of the season, but avoided a fine or touchline ban.

The Liverpool manager responded to a question from the media about the performance of the referee, Phil Dowd, by taking his glasses out of a pocket and examining them. An FA disciplinary commission decided that the gesture was "objectively offensive" but Liverpool said they accepted it was carried out in a “non-malicious and humorous manner.”

However, Benitez escaped censure for two other aspects of the misconduct charge, including his claim that it was "Impossible" to be awarded two penalties by Dowd.

The independent Commission stated: “A Regulatory Commission of The Football Association has found Mr Rafael Benitez guilty of misconduct in relation to a breach of FA Rule E3, arising out of a gesture made by him during a post match briefing following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool on 16 August 2009. The Commission concluded the gesture was objectively offensive. Two other aspects of the misconduct charge against Mr Benitez were dismissed by the Commission.
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“The Commission noted Mr Benitez’s previous exemplary disciplinary record over 23 years as a coach and manager at the highest level of the sport. Taking into account all relevant factors, the Commission concluded that the appropriate penalty was to warn Mr Benitez as to his future conduct with regards to interviews and press briefings.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has until Friday to respond to the FA's request for an explanation of his critical comments about Alan Wiley's fitness following United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland earlier this month. Ferguson is expected to be charged with misconduct.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle6873372.ece

[Rix007]

"Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has until Friday to respond to the FA's request for an explanation of his critical comments about Alan Wiley's fitness following United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland earlier this month. Ferguson is expected to be charged with misconduct.

Whats the use, Fergie gets away with almost everything ...

[pondus]

so who is the other manager who made the similar gesture?

Liverpool.no says it is Neil Warnock

[Baracus]

Liverpool.no says it is Neil Warnock

Yep, I read it on teamtalk, that it was warnock, and it related to the goal that wasn't given, when it hit the net and rebounded out straight away. He gave a gesture similar to that which a kid does to take the piss-out of someone wearing glasses.

[-V-]

I remember the FA saying the weren't going to charge Warnock because of the understandable special circumstances or something along those lines

[Migselv]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1207101/The-goals-Sportsmails-time-favourite-Phantom-goals.html

[S-RED]

I remember the FA saying the weren't going to charge Warnock because of the understandable special circumstances or something along those lines

I bet warnock is well chuffed that has come to Rafa's rescue.........