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Liverpool newsBenitez in swipe at Arsene
November 11, 2006
RAFA BENITEZ has made it clear he thinks Arsene Wenger-style touchline bust-ups must be kept in check.
Liverpool manager Benitez — who takes on Wenger’s Arsenal tomorrow — was dismayed at the managerial row that followed West Ham’s last-gasp win over the Gunners last weekend.
Benitez admitted: “That was a bad example of behaviour, not just by a manager but everyone involved in the game.
“Maybe I am rare on the touchline. I’m not saying you can stand there like a mummy — but you have to control your emotions.
“I don’t want to say it is just one manager or another but at least we have to set the right example for other people.”
Benitez wants his message to be taken up across the Premiership.
He said: “We have got to try to control our behaviour in the dugouts because we have a lot of people watching, a lot of children, and we must be an example.
“There is a lot of passion in football but we have a responsibility to try and stay calm in front of all those supporters.
“When I was a teacher at school in Spain, you’d see games where the players would score and then run over and kick the corner flag in their celebrations.
“Then in the school matches you would see your pupils doing the same thing.
“They would repeat what they had seen on the pitch.”
Benitez has also insisted the time has come to use video evidence — but only after games.
He added: “You have got to help the referees as well and the managers must be calm.
“But we also know there are a lot of players over here who dive, not just foreign ones but English players too.
“Some players almost need swimming trunks and everyone knows who they are.
“You know some players are doing bad things all the time — diving, using an elbow or maybe kicking someone.
“If you could look at these things on video after games it would make things easier for referees and everyone.
“Players would be less likely to do it if they knew a video would spot it later and maybe instead of a three-game ban you could give them six.”
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