Benitez backs video protection

Rafael Benitez has demanded retrospective video evidence be used to protect the Premier League's most skilful players.

His comments come in response to Sir Alex Ferguson's plea for protection for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spaniard, who insists Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard should also be given protection, has his own view on stamping out the darker side of the game.

Benitez said: "I have always felt that video evidence should be used after a game for disciplinary matters.

"You can find things, you can protect players for the next game. Everyone will see that players have to be careful, they will say 'I can't do this again because I could be banned on what the video shows'.

"To me it is clear, you do not need to change the game, you just need to analyse what has happened. If players get banned for three games the first week it is done, then three games on the second week and more on the third, it will soon stop. It will take just a few weeks of this type of action and things will change very quickly."

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