Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson over the Scot's treatment of referees and his criticism of the fixture list. The Spaniard even sarcastically suggested Ferguson should organise the fixtures at the start of the season himself and send it to the rest of the managers.
Ferguson, he insisted, is "the only manager who will not be punished" for outspoken attacks on referees.
"We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the respect campaign," Benitez added. "And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr (Martin) Atkinson, killing Mr (Keith) Hackett.
"But he is not punished. How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week?
Benitez is clearly irked by the lenient way he sees Ferguson treated by the FA, and hit back at the Old Trafford chief's complaints about how the fixtures are compiled.
But the Spaniard's long list of complaints about the world and European champions was not an angry rant. It was a measured, controlled delivery at the media conference ahead of the Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke.
Liverpool are top - and if they win tomorrow they will be six points clear of second-placed Chelsea and 10 ahead of the champions before the pair meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Benitez sat with a sheet of paper, unfolded in front of him, from which he read a catalogue of grievances against the Manchester United regime.
Ferguson's complaints about supposed favouritism over fixtures prompted Benitez to say: "I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they 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."
Benitez believes Ferguson is getting away with attacks on referees which would not be tolerated from other managers.
He said: "All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.
"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 29th 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," Benitez outlined.
"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."
Benitez finished off by criticising the conduct of United officials when Liverpool play matches at Old Trafford.
"We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff," he said. "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..."
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