Liverpool boss Benitez blows a huge hole in Scudamore's GAM£ 39 united front

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The Liverpool boss made it clear that there was certainly not unequivocal approval from Anfield as chief executive Rick Parry shared his concerns about the GAM£ 39 proposal, which has blown up such a storm around the football world.

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

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Wide of the mark: Rafa Benitez has attacked the Premier League's plan

But the strong words from Spaniard Benitez kills any idea of presenting a united front. His attack on the motion has the potential to drive a further wedge between himself and Anfield's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who are reported to have reacted with cautious interest when the international round of matches was mooted.

"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," Benitez said. "The seeding idea 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 OK, 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. I don't think it's a solution for anyone. It's not a good idea.

"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."