Weekend Football

09 January 2009

by Jerrad Peters

 

Benitez blows his top

 

Sir Alex Ferguson will pick one of the better bottles of wine from his cellar, tonight, pour himself a glass and sit down to watch the evening sports programming. And he'll do so with an evil little smile on his face. After all, why wouldn't he celebrate?

Goaded by Ferguson's taunting, Rafael Benitez went off the boil in his Friday press conference. For several minutes, and in no less than 921 words, the Liverpool manager ranted against his Manchester United counterpart, loosing his bottle in a manner that must have made Ferguson giddy.

Three days earlier, Ferguson made an obvious poke at the Spaniard when he remarked that Liverpool would not win the Premier League title.

"They are going into the unknown, commented the Scot, "and at this stage, if you make mistakes, you get punished." He added, "There's no doubt in the second half of the season [Liverpool] will get nervous. With the experience we've got, having won a couple of titles in the past couple of years, it helps you."

"I was surprised by what has been said," stated Benitez as he launched into his verbal tirade. "But maybe [Manchester United] are nervous because we are at the top of the table. But I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear. I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start."

At this point, a raging Benitez tore into Ferguson for refusing to adhere to the Premier League's Respect campaign.

"On November 1," he said, "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 Mascherano was sent off at Old Trafford [last season]."

Benitez continued, "He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things. Then he was talking about 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.

Benitez also referenced United's Christmas schedule, which he believes was more accommodating than any other side in the Premier League. And before concluding his fit, he wryly suggested that Ferguson should determine the fixture programme by himself in his own office.

"We all know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford," continued Benitez. "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."

He continued, "You can see every single week how they put [referees] under pressure. We know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off."

"But he is not punished," concluded the 48-year-old. "How can you talk about the Respect campaign and criticize the referee every single week?"

 

Hammers facing points deduction

 

West Ham could face a points deduction ahead of next season as a result of joint investigation being conducted by the Premier League and Football Association (F.A.). Both bodies are set to probe the London club's relationship with Kia Joorabchian and his shady Media Sports International (MSI) group.

The inquest will centre on West Ham's use of striker Carlos Tevez. The Argentine, and Corinthians teammate Javier Mascherano, were signed on loan at the start of the 2006-07 campaign. It soon became apparent, however, that neither player had been loaned from the Brazilian club, but were being rented by West Ham from Joorabchian. English football strictly prohibits third-party ownership.

The Premier League and F.A. will pick up where Lord Griffiths left off. The head of an independent inquiry, Lord Griffiths ruled that West Ham owe 50M-pounds to Championship side Sheffield United. Sheffield were relegated to the second tier of English football when Tevez fired West Ham to safety in the final matches of the 2006-07 season.

"We have no doubt," stated the Griffiths commission, "that [Tevez'] services were worth at least three points to West Ham over the season and where what made the difference between remaining in the Premiership and being relegated at the end of the season."

In the spring of 2007, the Premier League requested that the Hammers break off their agreements with Joorabchian, and letters were sent to both parties. MSI shredded their copy. As it turned out, MSI and West Ham were operating on the basis of a verbal agreement made between Joorabchian and Hammers official Scott Duxbury. If the joint inquiry can prove that Duxbury acted in direct offense of the Premier League's 2007 request, West Ham will face a points deduction ahead of next season.

"The joint inquiry will examine whether the conduct of West Ham immediately after the independent disciplinary commission's decision of 27 April 2007 amounted to further breaches of Premier League or F.A. rules," read a statement released by both organizations.

A reply released by West Ham sought to dissolve the club of any responsibility. "West Ham United will co-operate fully with the joint inquiry," it said. "We have acted in good faith throughout the various inquiries and investigations into this matter and fulfilled the undertakings given to the Premier League following the initial penalty. We have nothing to hide and will ensure that this is once again reflected in our evidence to the F.A. and Premier League."

 

Zico appointed CSKA boss

 

Brazilian football icon Zico has been installed as CSKA Moscow manager. The 55-year-old flew into Moscow on Thursday evening after terminating his contract with Uzbekistani club Bunyodkor. He will replace Valeri Gazzaev at the Russian giants.

As a player, Zico starred in an attacking role for Flamengo, Udinese, Sumitomo Metals and Kashima Antlers. He also scored 66 goals in 88 appearances for Brazil.

In 2007 he coached Fenerbahce to the Turkish championship. His first match in charge of CSKA will come in the UEFA Cup against Aston Villa.

 

Podolski to make Cologne return

 

Bayern Munich have confirmed that Lucas Podolski has requested a transfer to Cologne. The 23-year-old spent 11 years at The Billygoats before moving to Bayern for 10M-euros in 2006.

"We are in talks with Cologne," said Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness in an interview with ZDF. "And when I return next week we will reopen these talks. I think we will reach a solution by the end of the month."

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge echoed his colleague's remarks, saying, "Cologne have once again made a move. The whole thing looks good. I am confident we can work it out."

After making an initial bid of 7M-euros for Podolski, Cologne were forced to increase their offer after interest from Hamburg and Manchester City. It is believed that they will pay 10M-euros for the player, effectively paying back what they earned from his sale in the first place.

Podolski, meanwhile, hit out against Bayern in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Tempo.

"I had faith in their words and promises," he said. "I was wrong. In the future I won't make the same mistakes."