RAFA’S FA PEP TALK

Benitez wants answers over £60k ref fine after City boss was let off with warning

RAFA Benitez will write to the FA after Pep Guardiola escaped a fine for talking about a referee pre-match – weeks after he was hit with a £60k penalty. The Newcastle United boss is privately fuming he was hammered with a huge financial punishment, but for the same offence the title-chasing Manchester City chief was given a slap on the wrists. Benitez will highlight the inconsistency in the way he has been treated compared to Guardiola, and ask why his breach was treated more seriously – especially as he PRAISED the referee. Toon chief Benitez said he had “confidence” that Andre Marriner would handle Newcastle’s clash with Crystal Palace in a fair way. He was responding to Palace striker Wilfried Zaha who claimed in the same week that he was not being protected by referees. Guardiola (above) was warned about his future conduct after he defended the appointment of Wythenshawe-based ref Anthony Taylor for the Manchester derby a fortnight ago. He said: “Mr Taylor is going to try and make a good game. If he is a fan of United or a fan of City everyone can be a fan of whoever he wants. So, no problem.” Football Association rules state “any pre-match comments including those of a positive nature concerning the appointed match official, whether the official is identifiable by name or implication, will be deemed as improper conduct.” Benitez also name-checked ref Andrew Madley before a key Championship game in April last year, while Guardiola has not been warned previously. The FA will receive Benitez’s letter next week, and he will expect an explanation, with the suspicion on Tyneside he is easier to punish than Guardiola who is favourite to lead City to another title. Newcastle travel to Burnley tomorrow night on the back of two wins and Benitez insisted he never doubted his methods during a 10-game winless run at the start of the season. He reckons confidence has soared in his squad after beating Watford and Bournemouth, and has revealed his managerial approach during those desperate months. Benitez said: “Two wins in a row has given us confidence. The players train with a smile and it is much better. “The key is the confidence. They play better, we have more chances to get results. “We have come out of this by repeating, and repeating what we want to do. “You have 25-26 players with their own way of thinking. You have to convince them your way is the way to win. “Now that message is easier. “You analyse what in your opinion is right and wrong. You try to change things. “Not everything, because that is dangerous, but little things... you give more attention to every game, talk to players and be calm. They see you are calm and it helps.”