Manchester United chief executive David Gill has hit back at Rafael Benitez following the Liverpool manager's recent verbal tirade against the club. Benitez criticised United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of last weekend's Premier League fixtures, claiming he has been allowed to go unpunished when criticising referees.
The Spaniard then questioned the influence Gill has on the Football Association due to his position on the board at the governing body of football in England.
But Gill has defended his position, insisting there is no conflict of interest between his role at Manchester United and with the FA.
"With respect to his comments on my position they are totally inaccurate," said Gill, speaking in Macau at the launch of United's tour of Asia, which will take place later this year. The reality of it is that on the FA board sit three representatives of the Premier League in Premier League chairman Dave Richards, Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and myself. They are elected every year by every club in the Premier League and when we are on the board we are there representing the Premier League and I am not there representing Manchester United. The reality is that when you look at the decisions and issues I think anyone would understand that we don't get special treatment because of that. Therefore I was surprised (by Benitez's comments) and I think they are totally inaccurate."
The problem here is that Rafa is having to continually look over his shoulder now and he is a worried man. Liverpool AND Chelsea had the chance to go 16 points clear at the top of the table while Manchester United were away in Japan becoming World Champions. But they failed to do so, and now Chelsea have been hauled back in and Liverpool are again in reach if United can beat Wigan and Fulham at home (this is the 2 games they have in hand).
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The Spaniard then questioned the influence Gill has on the Football Association due to his position on the board at the governing body of football in England.
But Gill has defended his position, insisting there is no conflict of interest between his role at Manchester United and with the FA.
"With respect to his comments on my position they are totally inaccurate," said Gill, speaking in Macau at the launch of United's tour of Asia, which will take place later this year. The reality of it is that on the FA board sit three representatives of the Premier League in Premier League chairman Dave Richards, Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and myself. They are elected every year by every club in the Premier League and when we are on the board we are there representing the Premier League and I am not there representing Manchester United. The reality is that when you look at the decisions and issues I think anyone would understand that we don't get special treatment because of that. Therefore I was surprised (by Benitez's comments) and I think they are totally inaccurate."
The problem here is that Rafa is having to continually look over his shoulder now and he is a worried man. Liverpool AND Chelsea had the chance to go 16 points clear at the top of the table while Manchester United were away in Japan becoming World Champions. But they failed to do so, and now Chelsea have been hauled back in and Liverpool are again in reach if United can beat Wigan and Fulham at home (this is the 2 games they have in hand).
Back To Home Page...
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