Rafa Benitez to write to FA after Pep Guardiola escapes punishment

Benitez was hit with a £60,000 fine a few weeks ago

Rafa Benitez is said to be angry at the Football Association's decision not to punish Pep Guardiola for his comments about referee Anthony Taylor prior to the Manchester derby earlier this month. Guardiola appeared to break FA rules by discussing the suitability of Taylor, who is from Wythenshawe, in the build-up to the game. Although he backed the official and dismissed accusations of him showing potential bias in the game, many expected the Manchester City boss to be punished on the grounds that managers are not permitted to talk about refereeing appointments. Though Guardiola was asked to explain his comments,  the FA opted against issuing him with a fine. Benitez is, according to The Mirror, 'privately fuming' at the decision after the FA hit him with a £60,000 penalty for a similar offence only a matter of weeks ago. Speaking ahead of his Newcastle side's game against Crystal Palace, Benitez had said he had "confidence" that referee Andre Marriner would handle the game in a fair way. This came in response to comments made by Palace's Wilfried Zaha, who claimed in the same week that he was not being protected by referees. The Spaniard is said to have written a letter to the governing body in response to his fine, which points out the inconsistencies between both cases. The letter is expected to arrive with the FA next week, with the Mirror's report adding that Benitez expects an explanation on the matter. Newcastle have risen to 14th in the Premier League table after recording consecutive wins over Watford and Bournemouth. Their first game back sees them travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley on Monday night.