Good to see the Mail not bother to mention that Rafa was found not guilty of two charges, but that wouldn't make a story or suit their agenda I suppose!
FA go soft on Rafa over ref rant: Liverpool boss Benitez cleared for Phil Dowd outburst
by JOHN EDWARDS 14th October 2009
Rafa Benitez was found guilty of misconduct on Tuesday but escaped punishment as FA bosses passed up an opportunity to launch a crackdown on managerial outbursts.
Three days before deciding whether Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has a case to answer for branding Alan Wiley unfit to referee, the FA considered three charges of improper conduct against Benitez following Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham in August.
They delivered a guilty verdict on one count yet decided against a fine or touchline ban and ruled he did not have to pay costs. There was even a suggestion from the three-man panel, sitting in Manchester, that Benitez could feel aggrieved at being summoned after another manager went unpunished over a similar matter.
Benitez’s warning was for appearing to question referee Phil Dowd’s eyesight
by holding up a pair of glasses after his side were denied two penalties at Tottenham.
Liverpool released a statement claiming the commission ‘expressed their surprise at the failure of the FA to charge another manager who had made a similar gesture the same weekend.’
It is believed the panel were referring to Crystal Palace’s Neil Warnock, who circled his eyes with his hands to simulate spectacles after the officials at Bristol City failed to spot a shot by Freddie Sears had gone in.
Their leniency towards Benitez will have been noted by Ferguson, who has faced mounting criticism for his disparaging remarks about Wiley and has requested an extension until Friday to explain himself to Soho Square chiefs because he has been away on holiday.
Ferguson is weighing up whether to issue a second apology after his first
was dismissed as falling short of being a full retraction. But he may be less fearful of the outcome after learning of Benitez’s fate.
The commission described Benitez’s gesture as ‘objectively offensive’, but said: ‘Taking into account all relevant factors, including his previous exemplary record, it was concluded that the appropriate penalty was to warn him.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1220149/FA-soft-Rafa-ref-rant-Liverpool-boss-Benitez-cleared-Phil-Dowd-outburst.html
