Benitez insists FA owe him an apology over Gerrard affair
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Angry Liverpool boss Benitez insists FA owe him an apology over Gerrard affair
Furious: Benitez
Rafa Benitez has challenged the FA to apologise over their treatment of Steven Gerrard and accused them of a 'massive mistake' in forcing him to prove he was unfit for England duty.
The Liverpool manager was seething at the way national coach Fabio Capello appeared to doubt the club's word over Gerrard's groin injury and subjected him to a 400-mile round trip to be examined by England's medical team.
The second opinion duly confirmed that the Liverpool skipper had suffered a slight tear to his groin and, after ruling him out of Saturday's home game with Fulham and admitting he may not make Wednesday's Champions League group match against Marseille, Benitez fumed: 'We have one more training session before facing Fulham, but I don't think Stevie will make it. That means the FA have made a massive mistake.
'It would be nice if someone rang to apologise, but I am not really expecting a call.'
Benitez contrasted the approach of England with Spain's handling of striker Fernando Torres, who will return to Liverpool's starting line-up against Fulham.
'Gerrard is not fit to play against Fulham and that's it for me,' he said. 'He is recovering well and he has a chance of being fit for Wednesday.
'We have been in contact with Spain and there don't seem to be any problems with Fernando. He didn't start their game and that was important, considering he has been injured and hasn't played much.'
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Too bad, the last time you said he was injuired, he still played for you