Following the Premier League arbitration panel’s decision to block Gabriel Heinze’s move to Anfield, the Argentinian international has agreed a deal with Real Madrid and is expected to sign for the Spanish giants on Thursday.
It has always been understood United would willing sell the unsettled defender to an oversees team and with them blocking the move to Merseyside he has now been forced abroad.
Rafa Benitez was furious at the decision not to allow Heinze to sign for Liverpool and on Wednesday blasted the Premier League asking “How can a player with a signed agreement be treated like this? He [Heinze] has a document which is clear, but the Premier League prefers to believe the word of someone else who made a mistake.”
Benitez was also angry at the matter of Liverpool playing at lunchtime on Saturday directly after midweek internationals – something which happened to Liverpool more than any other club last season and is scheduled for four more times this season.
In the past Benitez has questioned why in England we still play games on a Saturday following internationals when in Spain they – sensibly – move all matches to a Sunday to allow teams an extra day to prepare, and maybe more importantly, players an extra days rest.
International Round – Up
Peter Crouch played just over half an hour in England’s 2-1 defeat to Germany at Wembley.
Fernando Torres played the first half for Spain in their 3-2 win over Greece, Jose Reina played the full match in goal, while Xabi Alonso played the last 25 minutes.
Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel both came on at half time for Holland in their 2-1 defeat at Switzerland – it was Kuyt though who scored the Dutch goal in the 52nd minute, assisted by Babel’s cross from the left Kuyt headed home.
Steve Finnan and Daniel Agger had contrasting nights as the Republic of Ireland hammered Denmark 4-0, Agger played the full match and Finnan an hour.
Sami Hyypia played the full 90 minutes as Finland beat Kazakhstan 2-1.
