Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has called on the Football Association to look into Wilfried Zaha’s comments ahead of this weekend’s game.
Crystal Palace host Newcastle at Selhurst Park tomorrow, and the Magpies will be looking for their first Premier League win of the season. Meanwhile Palace will be looking for in-form Wilfried Zaha to continue his hot streak.
Following last weekend’s Palace win over Huddersfield, Zaha challenged referees that don’t offer him enough protection, saying:
I feel like before anyone gets a red, I’d have to get my leg broken or something. Why am I getting different treatment from other players?
Some people have percieved Zaha’s comments as an attempt to pressure referees, which is something managers are banned from doing.
And although Benitez believes referee Andre Marriner will not be swayed by Zaha’s comments, he does feel that the FA should be looking into the act.
Talking about the incident, as reported by the Northern Echo, Benitez said:
I am surprised because normally the FA deal with these comments. I have a lot of confidence with Andre Marriner. He has a lot of experience, even if his record with our players is not that great in terms of red cards. He is an experienced referee.
He (Zaha) is a good player, no doubt about that, but I think the FA have to deal with his comments. But I don’t think Andre Marriner will have this in the back of his head.
