[lfc-news] Benitez fury over friendlies - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 19 Nov 2004
Benitez fury over friendlies
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ says clubs should have the right to withdraw top players from
international friendlies, describing the fixtures as 'money motivated'.

The Liverpool boss is fed up worrying about losing his stars to injury in
meaningless games.

And he says if countries are to persist in high profile, money-spinning
friendlies such as the one between England and Spain this week, they should
pay the clubs for the services of their players.

Benitez aired his views in the aftermath of Milan Baros' injury in
Macedonia this week, which has ruled him out for a month - less than
initially feared but still a major blow.

The coach described this as a 'massive problem' for his team ahead of a key
period.

Although Baros was injured in a World Cup qualifier, Benitez couldn't
contain his frustration with the attitude of several football federations.

"I know Milan Baros was injured in an important game, but there are lots of
friendly games being played which are only to make money," said Benitez..

"How many friendly games were there on Tuesday and Wednesday?

"Why? "Harry Kewell had to go play in Australia and South Africa recently
in a friendly. He missed training sessions with the team. It would have
been better for him to train.

"I think the clubs have to be protected more. We're the ones who pay if the
player joins his national team and gets injured. His national federation
doesn't suffer. And if I lose my players to injury, I will win nothing.
This is a big problem for us.

"You can talk to the player and talk to the manager beforehand, but the
national coach just wants to be sent the player and decide later what to do
with him. The friendlies are not necessary for important players.

"If the federations have to pay for an important player, they will give
others a chance in friendlies. Or they will realise it's not necessary to
play a friendly."

Benitez was worried about Baros before he joined up with the Czech squad
and says he'd told the striker to be wary of aggravating his existing
hamstring strain.

But the Czechs were determined to play the 23-year-old, and now Liverpool's
striking options are down to their minimum.

"Before he left, I said to the player 'be careful' because you've had a
problem before," said Benitez..

"Because it was a qualification game I knew it would be difficult. When a
player plays for his national team he will always give 100 per cent, but
it's the club which pays in this case.

"We have lost someone important with games to come against Arsenal, Villa,
Monaco, Olympiakos and Everton. It's a massive problem for us."

Benitez will welcome back Steven Gerrard for tomorrow's trip to
Middlesbrough, and he laughed off attempts by Sheffield United to lure Neil
Mellor from Anfield in the aftermath of Baros' injury..

Mellor is in line to start at The Riverside Stadium, with Florent
Sinama-Pongolle also on standby.

Reds boss condemns racist fans

RAFAEL BENITEZ today joined the condemnation of Spanish fans who racially
abused England's players during this week's football friendly.

The Liverpool FC boss read out a statement in his native tongue during
today's pre-Middlesbrough press conference at Melwood.

Benitez said he didn't want to be misquoted or misunderstood on such a
sensitive issue, saying he condemned the racist chanting and fully agreed
with the comments by both British and Spanish sports ministers.

He said: "It is not something that happens a lot in Spain. It is just a
small group, but I agree the government and FIFA have to do something about it."


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