Cher used to live not far from us. Hold the front page.
Wonder if he'll get away with comments like this again.
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Cher used to live not far from us. Hold the front page.
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez reignites feud with Manchester United rival Sir Alex Ferguson
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has reiterated his 2009 claim that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson puts undue pressure on match officials.
Speaking out: Sir Alex Ferguson is not shy at criticising others Photo: EPA
By Telegraph Sport
10:34AM GMT 23 Jan 2013
Comment
The pair have shared a fractious relationship for years, dating back to Benitez's spell in charge of Liverpool and highlighted by the Spaniard's famous rant four years ago in which he suggested Ferguson was never punished for verbally abusing referees and their assistants.
"I always try to concentrate on my job, but at that time with Ferguson I was defending my club," Benitez said in an interview with The Times.
"I could see what was happening from my point of view, and maybe now a lot of people are seeing the same things. I will not talk too much about that because it's obvious."
Ferguson's behaviour was brought into the spotlight again on Sunday when he accused linesman Simon Beck of having a "shocking" game in United's 1-1 Premier League draw at Tottenham, saying the visitors "never got anything from that side of the pitch".
The Scot has been contacted by the Football Association to explain comments and has until 6pm tomorrow to respond.
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has reiterated his 2009 claim that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson puts undue pressure on match officials.
Speaking out: Sir Alex Ferguson is not shy at criticising others Photo: EPA
By Telegraph Sport
10:34AM GMT 23 Jan 2013
The pair have shared a fractious relationship for years, dating back to Benitez's spell in charge of Liverpool and highlighted by the Spaniard's famous rant four years ago in which he suggested Ferguson was never punished for verbally abusing referees and their assistants.
"I always try to concentrate on my job, but at that time with Ferguson I was defending my club," Benitez said in an interview with The Times.
"I could see what was happening from my point of view, and maybe now a lot of people are seeing the same things. I will not talk too much about that because it's obvious."
Ferguson's behaviour was brought into the spotlight again on Sunday when he accused linesman Simon Beck of having a "shocking" game in United's 1-1 Premier League draw at Tottenham, saying the visitors "never got anything from that side of the pitch".
The Scot has been contacted by the Football Association to explain comments and has until 6pm tomorrow to respond.
You lot may laugh.... But maybe read this article put together by a Man City fan.... Quite an interesting read, and also the article he put together before this one....
http://www.sabotagetimes.com/footba...he-evidence-of-the-united-referee-conspiracy/
It's all a bit far fetched Jerry. I think Demento has too much influence yes but I think shouting conspiracy is OTT
Here's the full article from ESPN.
PS I ❤ Roffa
Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has launched a fresh attack on Sir Alex Ferguson, telling The Times that "maybe now a lot of people are seeing" the behaviour that led the Spaniard to highlight 'facts' during his time with Liverpool.
PA PhotosRafa Benitez has renewed his war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson
Benitez has long endured a frosty relationship with Ferguson, with the Manchester United manager claiming in 2010 that his club's rivalry with Liverpool escalated to unprecedented levels under the Spaniard's regime.
The most memorable incident between the pair came in January 2009, when Benitez, whose Liverpool side were vying with United for the title, announced at a press conference that he wanted "to talk about facts", speaking out about Ferguson's criticism of referees and adding: "He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."
Ferguson's treatment of officials has been back in the spotlight in recent days after he fumed at assistant referee Simon Beck for his failure to award United a penalty during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham, claiming the Red Devils have "history with him".
The FA has asked Ferguson, who escaped punishment for his on-field debate with Mike Dean during the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle, to explain his remarks, and Benitez feels others are now starting to understand his perspective.
"I always try to concentrate on my job, but at that time with Ferguson I was defending my club," Benitez said in an interview with The Times. "I could see what was happening from my point of view, and maybe now a lot of people are seeing the same things. I will not talk too much about that because it's obvious.
"It's a question for the FA what they do about it. What I said at that time was what I thought, and what I'm seeing now is similar. It depends on the FA. I don't know what they will do - it depends on them."
For now, though, Benitez insists he is still just trying to "concentrate on [his] job".
There has been much speculation about how long he will remain at Stamford Bridge. His relationship with the Chelsea fans has been hostile from the outset, and owner Roman Abramovich is believed to have appointed Benitez only to keep the seat warm for Pep Guardiola.
With Guardiola having taken the decision to join Bayern Munich, though, it would appear Benitez may yet be a contender to earn the job on a permanent basis.
"A lot of doors can be opened, but the main one is this one here," he said. "I don't want to enter this debate at the moment, as the priority for me is to do really well and to win trophies for this club. But afterwards we will see, and you never know."
The 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday appears to have boosted his cause.
"Roman saw the game on Sunday and was really pleased with the team, especially during the first half," he added. "He said that we played good football, attractive football, with passing and commitment. Everyone knows that we can only change the fans' minds by winning games."
There have also been links with Real Madrid, with the Spanish champions' fans appearing to be view his appointment favourably.
"Staying in the Premier League is my priority, but I am a professional and may have to consider other options when thinking about the future," Benitez said. "I'm focused on winning here at the moment.
"I had different offers in different countries, but the priority for me was coming back to the Premier League and to a club that can challenge for trophies. Chelsea is an ideal club because we can still win trophies."
PS I ❤ Roffa
Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has launched a fresh attack on Sir Alex Ferguson, telling The Times that "maybe now a lot of people are seeing" the behaviour that led the Spaniard to highlight 'facts' during his time with Liverpool.
PA PhotosRafa Benitez has renewed his war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson
Benitez has long endured a frosty relationship with Ferguson, with the Manchester United manager claiming in 2010 that his club's rivalry with Liverpool escalated to unprecedented levels under the Spaniard's regime.
The most memorable incident between the pair came in January 2009, when Benitez, whose Liverpool side were vying with United for the title, announced at a press conference that he wanted "to talk about facts", speaking out about Ferguson's criticism of referees and adding: "He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."
Ferguson's treatment of officials has been back in the spotlight in recent days after he fumed at assistant referee Simon Beck for his failure to award United a penalty during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham, claiming the Red Devils have "history with him".
The FA has asked Ferguson, who escaped punishment for his on-field debate with Mike Dean during the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle, to explain his remarks, and Benitez feels others are now starting to understand his perspective.
"I always try to concentrate on my job, but at that time with Ferguson I was defending my club," Benitez said in an interview with The Times. "I could see what was happening from my point of view, and maybe now a lot of people are seeing the same things. I will not talk too much about that because it's obvious.
"It's a question for the FA what they do about it. What I said at that time was what I thought, and what I'm seeing now is similar. It depends on the FA. I don't know what they will do - it depends on them."
For now, though, Benitez insists he is still just trying to "concentrate on [his] job".
There has been much speculation about how long he will remain at Stamford Bridge. His relationship with the Chelsea fans has been hostile from the outset, and owner Roman Abramovich is believed to have appointed Benitez only to keep the seat warm for Pep Guardiola.
With Guardiola having taken the decision to join Bayern Munich, though, it would appear Benitez may yet be a contender to earn the job on a permanent basis.
"A lot of doors can be opened, but the main one is this one here," he said. "I don't want to enter this debate at the moment, as the priority for me is to do really well and to win trophies for this club. But afterwards we will see, and you never know."
The 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday appears to have boosted his cause.
"Roman saw the game on Sunday and was really pleased with the team, especially during the first half," he added. "He said that we played good football, attractive football, with passing and commitment. Everyone knows that we can only change the fans' minds by winning games."
There have also been links with Real Madrid, with the Spanish champions' fans appearing to be view his appointment favourably.
"Staying in the Premier League is my priority, but I am a professional and may have to consider other options when thinking about the future," Benitez said. "I'm focused on winning here at the moment.
"I had different offers in different countries, but the priority for me was coming back to the Premier League and to a club that can challenge for trophies. Chelsea is an ideal club because we can still win trophies."
Beating around the bush isn't he ?
Got this from Oxford English Dictionary: Roffa: "Meaning to be lead almost to the mountain top 50% of the time, and due to occasional bad fortune and sometimes your own failings not making it. This sense of "Didn't we almost have it all" leads some fans to overlook the dizzy heights enjoyed in creating one of the best teams in Europe. For the other 50% of the time, when the club was restored to it's rightful level of achievement, see video below." Wow, Oxford is really up to date.
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M
Yeah. Like, what is it he's trying to say?
For Rafa's sake I hope he is a liar.
It sounds a bit on the slanderous side to me
It sounds a bit on the slanderous side to me
is this recent? Ah Raf, subtlety is the key
Yesterday, apparently.
Rafa Benitez has labelled Marco Materazzi "a liar" after the former Inter Milan defender again slammed the Spaniard in an interview.
Benitez took charge of the Treble-winning Inter side in the summer of 2010, succeeding Jose Mourinho after his decision to depart for Real Madrid, but he endured a disappointing spell and left the club before the turn of the year.
In an interview with France Football this week, Materazzi said: "He is not my ideal coach. If I was a club president, I'd never employ him.
"A great boss like Lippi or Mourinho knows how to get their demands across to a dressing room whereas Benitez, he wanted to put them all in writing, ten or twelve rules - like the Highway Code, or being at school!
"At Inter's training centre, there were photos on the wall of all the most successful past coaches, from Herrera to Mancini and Mourinho. Benitez had the ones of Jose taken down. With that gesture, he showed his character: that of a weak person."
His remarks echo comments Materazzi had made to Sport Mediaset in November, when he said: "Mourinho was number one. His secret was to make the players feel involved in the project. In Madrid [during the 2010 Champions League final], he told me that he was leaving. I said to him: 'Damn you for leaving me with Benitez.'"
Chelsea boss Benitez, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of his side's Capital One Cup second leg with Swansea, hit out at the player.
"He's lying," Benitez said. "Marco Materazzi's lying. He's lying. Just lying. Everything he said is a lie. Everything that he talked about me, the things that he said about me, when he was talking with Jose Mourinho, is a lie because nobody knew that I was going to Inter - even me. He's a liar. About the pictures, he's lying, so he's a liar."
Benitez took charge of the Treble-winning Inter side in the summer of 2010, succeeding Jose Mourinho after his decision to depart for Real Madrid, but he endured a disappointing spell and left the club before the turn of the year.
In an interview with France Football this week, Materazzi said: "He is not my ideal coach. If I was a club president, I'd never employ him.
"A great boss like Lippi or Mourinho knows how to get their demands across to a dressing room whereas Benitez, he wanted to put them all in writing, ten or twelve rules - like the Highway Code, or being at school!
"At Inter's training centre, there were photos on the wall of all the most successful past coaches, from Herrera to Mancini and Mourinho. Benitez had the ones of Jose taken down. With that gesture, he showed his character: that of a weak person."
His remarks echo comments Materazzi had made to Sport Mediaset in November, when he said: "Mourinho was number one. His secret was to make the players feel involved in the project. In Madrid [during the 2010 Champions League final], he told me that he was leaving. I said to him: 'Damn you for leaving me with Benitez.'"
Chelsea boss Benitez, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of his side's Capital One Cup second leg with Swansea, hit out at the player.
"He's lying," Benitez said. "Marco Materazzi's lying. He's lying. Just lying. Everything he said is a lie. Everything that he talked about me, the things that he said about me, when he was talking with Jose Mourinho, is a lie because nobody knew that I was going to Inter - even me. He's a liar. About the pictures, he's lying, so he's a liar."
Sounds like Rafa thinks Materazzi has a problem with telling the truth.
First Rafa should have batted this away in a better way, rather than give legitimacy to it by repeating.
However, as Materazzi is an agent of Maureen, I think this is Maureen poking Rafa. Especially given he's leaving Madrid, with Rafa being spoken of as a replacement. This is how he works.
However, as Materazzi is an agent of Maureen, I think this is Maureen poking Rafa. Especially given he's leaving Madrid, with Rafa being spoken of as a replacement. This is how he works.
Rafa didn't have any choice. He was asked about it. You can tell he's really raging, and that Materazzi is indeed a liar. Well, apart from having rules written down like the Highway code. That does sound like Rafa.
Maybe if Rafa had set his instructions to music, Materazzi wouldn't have struggled as much. This was the Irish version I grew up with. To this day, 30 odd years later, I can remember it and recite it verbatim.
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEssgMQ1O_k
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEssgMQ1O_k
They might need to change that when the drinking licences are issued
Benitez could've just insisted that this was a presser for the upcoming game and only answered those questions relevant to the game. And just kept swatting the flies away if they persisted. He knows how to - he's done it before. Recall the "I'm only here to coach" lines back then. Okay, maybe not that ungraciously, but he knows the game.
Anyway, he's just providing entertainment for Materazzi. Does Materazzi care about being called a liar? I think he's probably chuckling at home, chucking peanuts at the TV and scheming what to say next to needle him and get another puffed up buffalo reaction. Oh, and have a good laugh over it with Mourinho over a beer.
Anyway, he's just providing entertainment for Materazzi. Does Materazzi care about being called a liar? I think he's probably chuckling at home, chucking peanuts at the TV and scheming what to say next to needle him and get another puffed up buffalo reaction. Oh, and have a good laugh over it with Mourinho over a beer.
So fuck. If someone was attacking my professional reputation saying that I was so petty and lacking in self assurance I'd say they were lying. He absolutely needs to counteract that slur, which might easily cost him a job offer down the line if someone buys that bullshit.
He's restrained. If someone publicised such vindictive stories about me I'd be properly over the top. Over the top my arse. Does he raise his voice, does he swear? Does he bash his fists against the table and call Materazzi a fucking rotten lying piece of festering cunt discharge?
I still preferred the original "too cool to argue" Rafa though. Mourinho and his oppos were trying it on before the CL semi-final in 2005. All Rafa said was "Sorry, but you will lose".
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