Guardiola escape FA charges

 PEP GUARDIOLA has escaped with a warning for talking about ref Anthony Taylor before the Manchester derby.

The Manchester City boss defended the appointment of Wythenshawe-based Taylor, who had been accused by some Etihad fans of being a United supporter.
Guardiola said: “Mr Taylor is going to try and make a good game.

"All of England and all of Europe is going to watch us. The ref doesn't want to make a mistake.

"But, if he is a fan of United or a fan of City - everyone can be a fan of whoever he wants. So, no problem."

FA regulations explicitly 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.”
That raised the prospect of Guardiola being hit by the same £60,000 fine levied against Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez when he talked about ref Andre Marriner ahead of the Toon’s game with Crystal Palace.

But unlike Benitez, who also name-checked ref Andrew Madley before his side’s vital Championship game with Preston in April 2017, Guardiola has not been warned previously.
That, as well as the view that Guardiola’s comments had been “neutral” and not designed to damage the integrity of the official, saw FA disciplinary beaks choose to simply hand the City chief a warning rather than a fine.

But Guardiola has been told any repeat of the behaviour will probably bring an official improper conduct charge and fine.