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Chelsea head coach Rafael Benitez says that Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson did not shake his hand before the match between the two teams in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, reports the BBC.
It is worth noting that the highly anticipated game, which took place at Old Trafford stadium, ended in a 2-2 draw, despite the hosts leading 2-0 within the first 11 minutes.
"At the beginning of the match, I was waiting for him and I knew that we should shake hands. I am an educated person, I know what should be done - after all, many people were watching us. You can ask him yourself why he didn't shake hands, but I was definitely waiting for it," - R. Benitez said after the match.
In the 5th and 11th minutes, Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney scored goals for the Manchester United team respectively, but in the second half, Chelsea dominated the field. After goals from Eden Hazard (59 min.) and Ramires (68 min.), the London club equalized the score. Juan Mata could have secured a victory for the "Blues" at the very end of the match, but David de Gea saved Manchester club from defeat.
The strained relationship between R. Benitez and A. Ferguson is no surprise. It all started in 2009 when R. Benitez was coaching the Liverpool team. In January of that year, during a press conference, R. Benitez lashed out, claiming that the English football authorities sympathize with A. Ferguson and give him many concessions.
"All coaches should know that only Mr. Ferguson can talk about the schedule of the season, can talk about the poor work of referees, and nothing happens to him. This is not my opinion - these are facts that everyone sees," - R. Benitez ranted in 2009.
This is not the first "non-greeting" scandal related to A. Ferguson. In the summer of 2012, when Luis Suarez refused to shake hands with Patrice Evra before the match between Manchester United and Liverpool, Ferguson was very angry.
"The Red Devils" coach then called Suarez a disgrace to the Liverpool club: "He could have caused riots, I think he should be banned from playing for the Liverpool team."
It is not yet determined when Chelsea and Manchester United will play the FA Cup quarterfinal replay. The only thing that is clear is that the winner of this tie will face Manchester City in the semifinals.
