Rafa Benitez hits out at ‘game 39’ plan

Feb 15 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has joined the growing chorus of disapproval with the Premier League’s proposal for an international round of fixtures.

The idea of a ‘39th game’ has met with a cool reception in many cities that had been suggested as possible host venues.

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore has maintained that there was no split in the Premier League ranks even after two chairmen, Aston Villa’s Randy Lerner and Wigan Athletic’s Dave Whelan, expressed their doubts earlier this week.

Benitez said: “I don’t like it. To play another game in another country is not right for this competition. You must play here in England with the same opportunities for everyone.

“The seeding ideas is the reason I don’t like it. Everyone should have the same opportunities.

“If you can change the league to improve it then that’s okay, but in this case it’s just about money. You can organise a tournament between the top four in Hong Kong if you wanted money.

“Maybe the people want to show the level of the Premier League and it might be positive in terms of finance, but if you play 38 games in your country, that’s enough. You don’t need to play games in other countries, otherwise you’d be playing all your life.

“I’ve spoken with Rick Parry about it and we think the idea is not the best.”