Heinze performs U-turn with Real
deal
Rafael Benitez accused the Premier League of damaging Liverpool's
title prospects last night as the man earmarked to strengthen his
defence, Gabriel Heinze, completed an acrimonious departure from
Manchester United by joining Real Madrid.
Fuelled by the decision of a Premier League arbitration panel to
deny the Argentine's move from Old Trafford to Merseyside on
Tuesday, Benitez 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.
"Then 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?
"It's going to be very difficult for us to win the Premier League
because the other teams are so strong, but we will fight to cope
with our more difficult kick-off times and all the other decisions
which are going against us."
Few at Old Trafford share Benitez's view that the Tevez saga was
straightforward, although the manager Sir Alex Ferguson has
admitted Liverpool's purchase of Mascherano, on a similar long-term
loan in January, clarified many issues relating to the Argentine's
arrival from West Ham. From the Premier League's perspective there
is incredulity at Benitez's attack, not least because clubs have an
influence over televised fixtures that earn each participant
£500,000, but it would not respond to suggestions of favouritism
towards United. "The Premier League works hard to ensure that all
our member clubs' fixtures are as fair as possible," said a
spokesman.
Lawyers acting for Heinze said they would appeal against the
arbitration panel's ruling. However the 29-year-old performed a
stunning U-turn last night when it was announced he had signed a
four-year contract with Real Madrid. United would not disclose the
fee but, while the Spanish sports daily Marca claimed Real were
preparing a 12m (£8.2m) bid, it is understood to be less than
United would have received from Liverpool.
