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Wednesday, 22 August 2007, 16:10 GMT 17:10 UK

Benitez vents fury at Heinze saga

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez Liverpool's Rafael Benitez has hit out at Manchester United and the Premier League over the Gabriel Heinze saga.

United defender Heinze lost his attempt to force a move to Anfield despite claiming he had proof that he should be allowed to move for £6.8m.

The Reds boss told the Liverpool Echo: "He has a document which is clear but the league prefers to believe the word of someone who made a mistake."

A spokesman said the Premier League was disappointed by Benitez's comments.

"The Premier League tried to make sure that our dealings with all our member clubs, including the scheduling of fixtures, are as fair as possible," he said.

"We are disappointed to read Rafael Benitez's comments in the press, especially when channels exist for every member club to raise any issues directly with the league."

"I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano... but so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Man Utd?"
Rafael Benitez

Benitez earlier said: "I know there were accusations made against Liverpool in the hearing which were unbelievable. How can this be allowed?"

He also expressed his anger at the Premier League's fixture scheduling ahead of the club's away game at Sunderland at 1245 BST this Saturday.

The Spaniard said: "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."

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Benitez was also angry about what he claimed was the drawn-out nature of Liverpool's signing of Javier Mascherano, compared to United's signing of Carlos Tevez - a deal he felt was pushed through quicker.

Mascherano and Tevez were signed last summer by West Ham but their moves were complicated over issues relating to third-party ownership in their contracts.

"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?"




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Related to this story:

Heinze questions Man Utd future (22 Aug 07 |  Man Utd )
Heinze loses bid for Anfield move (21 Aug 07 |  Man Utd )
Referee Styles dropped over error (20 Aug 07 |  Premier League )
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (19 Aug 07 |  Premier League )

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