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General Sports News

Fergie slams arrogant Rafa

Author: Rose Young
Date: 17/04/2009

Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Rafael Benitez of 'arrogance' in the escalating wards of words between the Manchester United and Liverpool managers.

Ferguson used his press conference ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Everton to lambast his Liverpool counterpart following his reaction to a goal his side scored in last weekend's 4-0 rout of Blackburn.

Meanwhile, an angry Sam Allardyce has sided with Ferguson, after accusing Benitez of disrespecting his Blackburn Rovers side.

Allardyce was furious after interpreting Benitez's gesture following Fernando Torres' 33rd minute strike as indicating it was game over for his side at Anfield last Saturday.

Elsewhere, West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has revealed he is close to putting pen to paper on a new contract at Upton Park.

The Italian has taken the plaudits after taking the Hammers up to seventh place in the Premier League table and potential European qualification this season, despite losing key players to injury and transfers.

Zola has only been in management for matter of months, but has already been linked with jobs at a host of leading European clubs.

However, the former Chelsea star claims both he and his backroom staff are close to putting pen to paper on a new contract with the Hammers.

Meanwhile, the Football Association has leaped to the defence of Mike Riley following suggestions that he is the wrong choice to referee Sunday's FA Cup semi-final between Everton and betting favourites Manchester United.

Everton boss David Moyes has questioned the decision to appoint Riley after original choice Steve Bennett withdrew due to illness.

Riley has upset Moyes on a number of occasions with controversial decisions and the Toffees boss is unhappy with the choice following media reports alleging that the official is a Manchester United supporter.

In rugby union, Northampton Saints have pulled of a coup after agreeing to sign England international Shane Geraghty for next season.

Geraghty, 22, will swap London Irish for the Saints at the end of the current campaign after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.

Newcastle Falcons have clinched the signing of London Irish forward James Hudson on a two-year deal.

Meanwhile, Ben Skirving has agreed a deal to swap Saracens for Bath at the end of the season.

In cricket, Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas has put his name forward as a possible captain of England's team for the ICC World Twenty20.

Elsewhere, injury-jinxed fast bowler Simon Jones insists his career is far from over, despite requiring yet another knee operation.

The 30-year-old England paceman has been forced to miss the start of the new county season with Worcestershire and will be out for at least two months, ruining any hopes of featuring in the Ashes later this summer.

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