Benitez blasts Premier League

[Lazie]

22/08/2007 - 3:16:42 PM

The simmering tension between Liverpool and Manchester United over the Gabriel Heinze saga became verbal warfare today as Anfield boss Rafael Benitez launched a staggering attack on the Premier League and the Old Trafford club.

Heinze has had his attempts to join Liverpool blocked by a Premier League hearing, that sided with United over who they could sell the player to once their £6.8m valuation had been met.

But not only has Benitez attacked the Premier League decision, which could leave Heinze’s career in limbo until his contract ends, he has also directed his fury at the Old Trafford hierarchy.

In a Liverpool Echo interview, Benitez claims decisions are being taken which favour Liverpool’s old rivals with yesterday’s dismissal of Heinze’s bid to move to Anfield the latest setback.

Benitez said: “I would like to ask the Premier League a number of questions. How can a player with a signed agreement be treated like this?

“He has a document which is clear, but the Premier League prefers to believe the word of someone else who made a mistake. I know there were accusations made against Liverpool in the hearing which were unbelievable. How can this be allowed?”

And broadening his attack from the Heinze issue, Benitez said: “Then I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always plays the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?

“We had more than the top clubs last season and we have four already to prepare for this season.

“Then I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano, when we had to wait a long time for the paperwork, but it was so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Manchester United?”


Mascherano joined Liverpool from West Ham in the January transfer window and the deal took weeks to clear as the row over third party ownership of players at Upton Park raged on.

The Tevez move to Old Trafford took less time to approve, with the Argentina star’s representatives paying West Ham £2m to release his registration in time to beat the transfer deadline.

Benitez added: “It’s going to be very difficult for us to win the Premier League because the other teams are so strong, but I want our supporters to know that despite the disadvantages we have, we will fight all the way.

“We will fight to cope with our more difficult kick-off times and all the other decisions which are going against us.”

But it is the Heinze decision, stopping Liverpool buying the defender who believed he had a letter clearing his exit for a set sum, that has upset Benitez most.

He now must consider contingency plans knowing that any appeal by Heinze may not be concluded by the time the transfer window shuts at the end of August.

An appeal panel on the Premier League’s decision will include a PFA representative and a high ranking member of the legal profession.

Heinze remains optimistic an appeal will be accepted and is in no mood to give up on his hopes of moving to Liverpool.

His solicitor, Richard Green said: “We are extremely disappointed with the result and we will be appealing.”

It is being suggested that United would be happy for Heinze to be loaned out to a mid-table Premier League side or agree to a transfer overseas, with Lyon at the front of the queue while Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for the Argentinian.

[Lazie]

Rafa sounds ravaged! hehehe.. Him need fi check himself. Hienze is owed by Manchester United and the club have the right to sell the player to whoever they please.

“Then I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano, when we had to wait a long time for the paperwork, but it was so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Manchester United?”

Is this dude for real? How long was Manu trying to sign the player? After seeing what Jefe went through, anyone with a brain would have taking the necessary steps.

Paul and X, unuh see Rafa start mek excuse already. One beat down has been reserved fi unuh.

[Peter R]

It's unclear to me why the League disapproves of the transfer to Liverpool. Are they trying to play God?

pr

[Peter R]

Ok, you answered my question below... it is the seller who decides who can buy, correct?

pr

[Karl]

Ok, you answered my question below... it is the seller who decides who can buy, correct?

pr

Sock it tuh im!

Lazie: BoyU is powerful...but, mi neva kno dem did suh powerful!

[Lazie]

Sock it tuh im!

Lazie: BoyU is powerful...but, mi neva kno dem did suh powerful!

Karl, nuh bother with that. Peter R, the players have contracts with the clubs. Manu approached Spurs for Berbatov and the club said no. Hienze have ..I think.. 2 more years on his contract. Liverpool want him and Manu say no. They have that right. Rafa need fi guh hold a seat.

[Jangle]

Sock it tuh im!

Lazie: BoyU is powerful...but, mi neva kno dem did suh powerful!

Yuh tink seh we a likkle hurry-come-up side? A years we tek fe build de Empire. When Fergie talk people listen. Plain and simple!

[Paul Marin]

...Paul and X, unuh see Rafa start mek excuse already. One beat down has been reserved fi unuh.

Nice try Lazie...no excuses, the man is passionate and speaking from the heart. This incident unfortunately clouds the fact that Manure have utterly mismanaged their players for years now and when one of them stand up to the whimpire, they are villified...I don't know how anybody in their right mind could ever play for them. The list of players who have fallen from grace is as long as my leg. I bet you can't name one Liverpool player that has left due to ill treatment or without dignity. You know as they say...you can't buy class.

[Tilla]

Yuh beating roun' di bush Lazie. Frankly, if a club decides that a player can go, the club should not be able to tell the player that he cannot go to this or that club. If they put a certain valuation on the player, then that is what the player should be sold to any club.

I wonder why Raffa did not work something with one of the other clubs. That is, let lower club like Bolton buy Heinze, then Liverpool acquire him from Bolton at the same or slightly higher price. But then, maybe business cannot be conducted like that as each club has to declare their monetary transactions to the FA.

[Lazie]

Yuh beating roun' di bush Lazie. Frankly, if a club decides that a player can go, the club should not be able to tell the player that he cannot go to this or that club. If they put a certain valuation on the player, then that is what the player should be sold to any club.

I wonder why Raffa did not work something with one of the other clubs. That is, let lower club like Bolton buy Heinze, then Liverpool acquire him from Bolton at the same or slightly higher price. But then, maybe business cannot be conducted like that as each club has to declare their monetary transactions to the FA.

The club told him he could go? I was of the impression that there is a clause in his contract if a club offers $X he could go. However, for a sale to take place shouldn't there be an agreement between the parties? Not beating round no bush Tilla!

Heard on the news that Livafool wanted Crystal Palace to buy him then they would step in ... dem think is accident people call dem Livafool? Anyway .. Gabby is now at Real Madrid.

[Lazie]

Nice try Lazie...no excuses, the man is passionate and speaking from the heart. This incident unfortunately clouds the fact that Manure have utterly mismanaged their players for years now and when one of them stand up to the whimpire, they are villified...I don't know how anybody in their right mind could ever play for them. The list of players who have fallen from grace is as long as my leg. I bet you can't name one Liverpool player that has left due to ill treatment or without dignity. You know as they say...you can't buy class.

Yuh mean he is being emotional? hehe. Lets talk about class. Whenever Rafa, Wenger and Sourinho drop points dem complain like mi little cousin. Manu drop points, him take it and nuh find fault with the opponents. Again, yuh really want to talk about class?

When yuh ready name the players that have been ill treated.

[Yuttie]

man, sometimes unu prejudice get di best a unu, Heinze could of have bought out his contract did not activate the clause and waa use letter as escape clause?

if yo put yo house pan di market fi 2.5 mil and mi meet di valuation, it mandatory fi yo sell mi?