Fergie: FA must act now over ranting Jose

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Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez last night launched a double attack on Jose Mourinho.

Ferguson is so incensed by the Chelsea coach's scattergun attacks on opponents and match officials he has called on the FA to take action.

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Attack: Ferguson has stepped up his war of words with Mourinho

The Manchester United boss said: "I think the FA and the Premier League have let him off lightly, because what he is saying is our game is suspicious and I think that is wrong."

Liverpool boss Benitez hit back at accusations by Mourinho that his team are only a good cup side'. The taunt overlooked Liverpool's 18 League titles and Benitez fumed: "He made a big mistake when he was talking about the history of our club. It seems he can say anything, but our history is massive."

The Premiership title race was stirred up by Mourinho this week when he accused United winger Cristiano Ronaldo of being dishonest and suggested that referees are not allowed to give penalties against the league leaders.

But Ferguson retaliated, claiming that Mourinho's words constitute a calculated attempt to put referees under pressure and influence the title contest that continues today with United playing at Everton and Chelsea hosting Bolton.

At one stage during his press conference yesterday, Ferguson appeared to hint at a poisonous atmosphere at Chelsea by saying: "I bet the birds at Stamford Bridge wake up coughing."

Ferguson added: "Jose seems to be on some sort of personal crusade about regulations and honesty, suspicions in the game.

"Everyone has an opinion on things. Ronaldo has an opinion, Carlos Queiroz has an opinion, but that doesn't mean to say they are liars.

"He has accused Barcelona in the past, he's accused the Swedish referee (Anders Frisk), he put the German referee (Markus Merk) under pressure the other night, and he insulted Liverpool — a club with a great history.

"He suggested their players were going to hunt down (Didier) Drogba. Jesus Christ, he's gone on and on and on. It's a rant all the time now and that's disappointing."

PFA Player of the Year Ronaldo and United assistant boss Queiroz have both criticised Mourinho for his claim that nobody is awarding penalties against United.

Ferguson took the attack one step further when he suggested that his rival should have been punished by UEFA for hiding in a laundry bin in an attempt to get round a dressing room ban imposed by European football's governing body two years ago — as revealed in Sportsmail.

He added: "But the biggest fear for us now is by citing the fact that we are not allowed to get penalties against us at Old Trafford, that places a terrible pressure on the referee in all future games.

"And I think, without doubt, that was calculated by him. Alan Wiley gave a penalty against us against Bolton the other week and he's the referee against Everton. What kind of pressure does that put him under?

"And if it's so, he wins. And if we get a penalty against us in the next four games, he wins. No doubt about that, Mourinho wins that war. I think that's wrong. So everything's calculated by him. I don't think it's because he is under strain, I think it's all calculated."

United face Everton encouraged by news that Rio Ferdinand should be back for Wednesday's Champions is calculated' League semi-final in Milan and that defender Nemanja Vidic also has an outside chance.

Benitez attempted to turn the tables on Mourinho yesterday by accusing him of a blunder that could jeopardise Chelsea's hopes of reaching the Champions League final on Tuesday.

Chelsea may be in pole position after their 1-0 first-leg win, but Benitez believes homegrown players like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will be more motivated than ever following Mourinho's cup side' taunt.

Benitez said: "Even in the last three seasons, we have won four trophies but, of course, he is a star, no? Everyone knows that.

"It is interesting hearing what Sir Alex has to say, but maybe he has an advantage in having a Portuguese assistant in Carlos Queiroz.

"Queiroz knows what makes Mourinho tick, so Sir Alex has more information and is able to say more about Mourinho. I prefer to think about the football and not other things."

Benitez also reacted to Mourinho's claims, prior to Wednesday's first leg, that Liverpool would try and provoke Drogba into picking up a yellow card that would have ruled him out of the return.

"Drogba worked really hard against Daniel Agger at Stamford Bridge, but it's going to be a different situation at Anfield," he said.

"Now if he is booked and Chelsea go through, it will be the Final he will miss. Maybe he should consider that and make sure he doesn't make a mistake."

Chelsea assistant Steve Clarke denied Mourinho is cracking up under the pressure of chasing the quadruple. Clarke said:

"He's not paranoid, he's not going to crack up. We're all in control and enjoying what we're doing.

"Jose relishes the pressure and the players enjoy the fact that the manager is there in the limelight. He's a leader."

 

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