RAFA’S RAGE
Toon boss angry he was fined while Pep escaped Benitez ‘not looking at any other clubs’
Simon Bird
RAFA BENITEZ will write to the FA after Pep Guardiola escaped a fine for talking about a referee pre-match.
The Newcastle United boss was hit with a £60k penalty for the very same offence only weeks before, while Manchester City chief Guardiola got off with a slap on the wrists.
Benitez is privately fuming about the apparent double standard and plans to ask the FA to explain.
Protected
The Spaniard had said he was confident ref Andre Marriner would handle United’s clash with Crystal Palace in a fair way.
He was responding to Palace striker Wilf 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.
The City chief 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.”
Improper
FA rules state that “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 namechecked ref Andrew Madley before a Championship game in April last year, while Guardiola has not been warned previously. The tomorrow night looking for a third consecutive Premier League win, with Benitez urging Newcastle to push on.
With the clock ticking on his current £6million a year deal, suspicion on Tyneside is that Benitez is easier to target, with Guardiola favourite to lead high-flying City to another title.
Newcastle face Burnley on the back of two wins and Benitez insists he never questions his methods after 10-game winless run at the start of the season.
He said: “Two wins in a row has given us confidence. The players train with a smile and it is much better.
“We were unlucky with our start to the season, but at the end the players will do well.” Benitez was asked about his future and he said: “My position is very clear. If you can see the club progressing it would be easier, because I am happy here. The fans support the football every weekend, at the training ground the atmosphere is good.
“We have to do everything we have to do to be competitive, that’s it.” Asked if he was
He said: “Yes, I played with Jonjo a bit and Federico has gone there now.
“I like Jonjo and Fedy is a good guy. A good player. Yes, both nice lads. But you considering his next move away from Tyneside he said: “No. I want to make sure we concentrate on games and see what we can do in January.”
Benitez, who has been courted by a host of clubs, but would command a £6m transfer fee until his deal expires, said: “We have to go to January and be sure we do the right things. And after consider the future.”