London - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez slammed Sir Alex Ferguson on Friday, accusing the Manchester United manager of being the only one who can criticise referees without punishment. The Spaniard, whose side sit three points clear at the top of the table, said Ferguson was wrong to criticise the fixture list, which, he said, actually favoured United in the second half of the season.
Ferguson was fined and given a touchline ban in November for his criticism of referee Mike Dean. The Scot also said that the fixture list was weighted in favour of his rivals for the title.
"We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the "Respect" campaign," Benitez said on Friday.
"And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr (Martin) Atkinson, killing Mr (Keith) Hackett.
Responding to a question about Ferguson's comments that Liverpool would be feeling the pressure at the top of the table, Benitez produced a sheet of paper and read a list of things that upset him about Ferguson's conduct.
"I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they (United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table," he said.
"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."
"All managers need to know that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.
"We need to know that I am talking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.
"Are they under pressure? Maybe they were not thinking that we would be at the top of the table in January. But we are at the top of the table and they are nervous.
"I am not telling the authorities what to do. But I have been here for five years and know how things are going on."
"To hear someone talking when he has problems with referees every single week, and now complaining about the fixtures and complaining about everything, I think that is not fair.
"You can see every 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.
"It is part of the game. But to complain and to always have an advantage is not fair.
"During the Respect campaign, and this is a fact, Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and (the FA's) Keith Hackett.
"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."
"How can you talk about the Respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week?
"Then he was talking about the 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.
"But at Christmas, United played on December 29 and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then.
"If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don't want more problems.
"One is (to have the same system) as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know.
"Sky and Setanta have the rights to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.
"There is another option. Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."
Liverpool can extend their lead at the top of the table to six points by winning at Stoke City on Saturday.
United, who already trail Liverpool by seven points, have two games in hand, and play second-placed Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.
