Sir Alex Ferguson goes nuts over England's Qatar friendly against Brazil

30 October 2009 01:45
Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at international friendlies ahead ofEngland's game against Brazil in Qatar next month, dismissing them as a'coach's nightmare' and a 'thorn in everyone's flesh'.[LNB] The Manchester United boss also claims such fixtures exist not onlyto make money for the FA but to give their members a day out.[LNB] Samba beat: Brazil star Kaka evades Steven Gerrard at Wembley Stadium in 2007[LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson lost top spot at Liverpool and is now public enemy No 1 with referees, but let's remember that he is ... STILL THE GREATESTJEFF POWELL: My top ten British and world managers of all time Several United players will be in the England party making the 14-hour round trip to Doha to face the world champions at the Khalifa International Stadium on November 14.[LNB] Ferguson said: 'It's the friendly matches that are the problem. It's a coach's nightmare, especially if you are in a European campaign and going for cups and titles.[LNB] 'You have all these fixtures and you have the intrusion of a friendly international game in some unknown country, so that is a definite thorn in everyone's flesh. Unfortunately you can't do anything about it.'[LNB] All gold: Terry scores in the 1-1 draw with Brazil at Wembley[LNB] [LNB] England's long-distance haul to the Middle East repays a debt tosports agency Kentaro, who put up the �1.2million appearance fee forBrazil to play at the official opening of the new Wembley Stadium in2007.[LNB] An 11th fixture - and fifth friendly - of the year forFabio Capello's side means another Premier League date has been wipedoff the calendar, adding to an already heavy fixture list for the topteams.[LNB] Ironically, Brazil coach Dunga has left out all hishome-based players for the games against England and Oman three dayslater because they clash with crucial matches in the Brazilian league.[LNB] [LNB]NEVER HEARD OF QATAR, FERGIE?FOR Fergie's benefit here is Sportsmail's guide to 'someunknown country.' [LNB]Qatar is a small country in the Middle East, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and the Persian Gulf otherwise. [LNB]It is just 11,437 square kilometres, 10 times smaller than England.[LNB]Arabic is the official language and the country is an absolute monarchy, with Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani the current leader. His proper title is Emir.[LNB]Qatar is a very rich land, with the third largest gas reserves in the world and the second highest GDP per capita.[LNB]It might be approaching winter, but when England play Brazil the temperature will still be in the mid 80s. Good excuse for losing, that.[LNB]Qatar has a population of 1.4million, compared with England's 51m.[LNB]They are ranked 94th by FIFA, have never qualified for the World Cup and none of their squad play outside Qatar.[LNB]Unlike many Arab states, alcohol is not banned in Qatar. Good news for some![LNB]The Qatari royal family'sinvestment company, DeltaTwo, own 26.1% of Sainsbury's,15.1% of the London StockExchange and 7.38% of Barclays. [LNB]Ferguson insists he has no problem releasing his players forimportant qualifying games and tournaments, but claims that even somenational coaches could do without the friendlies which serve only tobenefit their bosses.[LNB] He added: 'You know it's always a grey area between coaches of thePremier League teams and the England manager, the Sweden manager or theItaly manager.[LNB] 'All the international managers have their jobsto do and we support that, particularly when it comes to the issue ofcompetitive games like the European Championships or the World Cup.It's very important that these players play for their countries.[LNB]'But friendly games are a different matter. I don't think that anyone agrees with them if you're a league coach.[LNB] 'I think that some international managers could do without the friendly games themselves, but the football associations from every country warn them that sometimes it's a nice day for them, a nice trip, a sunny day, and in some cases it creates good revenue for them.[LNB] 'Many years ago, when I first came to United, I used to worry about the players all going away but now I accept it as part of the international scene. There are so many players all over the world so I no longer get myself in a twist about it.'[LNB] United have submitted a claim of mistaken identity to the FA after Fabio da Silva was booked by Chris Foy in the Carling Cup tie at Barnsley on Tuesday.[LNB] Replays clearly showed that it was his twin brother Rafael who fouled Jamal Campbell-Ryce in United's 2-0 win. Their submission will be heard by a regulatory commission next Tuesday. [LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail