Guardiola Calls for Clarity on Refereeing Decisions Amid VAR Controversy

omidbasir- Pep Guardiola suggested that referee Hallam was aiming to establish his reputation by disregarding VAR’s recommendation regarding a penalty. Guardiola specifically requested an explanation from referees’ chief Howard Webb concerning why a handball by Yerson Mosquera, following Omar Marmoush’s flick, was not called a penalty.

This match marked Hallam’s debut as a referee in the Premier League; however, he will not officiate next weekend’s fixtures, as he is scheduled to manage Stoke City versus Southampton in the Championship instead. It is reported that Hallam’s performance in this particular game will not influence his return to the Championship, as it is common for novice referees to transition between leagues early in their careers.

Guardiola extended an apology to Hallam but reiterated his belief that Manchester City frequently experiences unfair treatment from officials. He drew comparisons to a recent match in which Chelsea was awarded a penalty against Crystal Palace for a similar incident, where Jaydee Canvot blocked a goal-bound shot with his arm.

During a press conference, Guardiola stated, “If he is offended, then I am sorry. I understand that debuting is challenging. Everyone is sensitive, and I acknowledge that. This is why you write your articles and express your opinions. Look at our defeats over the last ten years.”

He mentioned that he rarely complains about refereeing decisions during significant losses but felt compelled to voice his concerns regarding a series of contentious calls that have adversely affected his team. Notable examples included Dean Henderson avoiding a sending-off for handball in last season’s FA Cup final and Antoine Semenyo’s goal being disallowed against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.

Guardiola elaborated, “In the FA Cup final, the positioning of the referee and the goalkeeper for Crystal Palace was natural. Look at my comments after the game; I have never criticized referees in ten years. What I’m expressing this season are justifications for our stance.

“I defend my club and players because Howard Webb defends the referees, and that’s his role. Every situation in the box during corners and free kicks is complex, and every action can be perceived as a foul. I recognize it’s not easy, but I must advocate for my club and players for various reasons.

“When we lose in the Champions League, Premier League, or FA Cup, my first comment is always to congratulate the opponent. I do this because I believe in fairness. If I am perceived as someone who complains after ten years, that’s acceptable; everyone has their position to defend.

“You defend what you work for, right? I must advocate for my club and players regarding past incidents. When there are six minutes of deliberation over a disallowed goal in the Carabao Cup, I must voice my concerns. The handball incidents against Wolves and the situations against Crystal Palace and Chelsea – I need to address these issues.”

Manchester City will host Galatasaray in their final group stage match of the Champions League on Wednesday. They must secure a victory and rely on favorable results elsewhere to finish in the top eight and avoid entering a knockout phase playoff, a stage from which they were eliminated last year by Real Madrid.

Winger Jeremy Doku emphasized, “It’s crucial for us to be in the top eight. We don’t want to play two extra games, and considering our schedule, having two fewer matches would be beneficial. Our sole aim is to win this game and see where it takes us.”