Pep Guardiola was scathing about VAR’s decision not to award a penalty after Southampton’s Alex McCarthy clearly brought down Phil Foden during Manchester City’s 5-2 victory on Wednesday, insisting that referees “need to do their job”.
After their 21-match winning run was ended in the Manchester derby on Sunday, City stretched their lead over Manchester United at the top of the Premier League to 16 points thanks to two goals each from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez. But the moment of controversy occurred with the score at 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium when the referee Jon Moss decided it was not a spot-kick and VAR decided not overturn the official’s verdict.
“Referees are professionals, they have to do their jobs,” Guardiola said. “We are happy with 5-2 but at that moment it was 1-1 in a tough game and they were better than us. The penalty [decision] is incredible. The goal from Fulham disallowed against Tottenham [last week]: I don’t have anything against Tottenham but I don’t understand how it was disallowed. I don’t understand Arsenal not getting a penalty against Burnley [on Saturday] – I don’t have anything against Burnley and Sean Dyche. There are things I don’t understand.
“Maybe one day they will explain with VAR and the hands. Hopefully one day they can explain what is going on. Today the penalty – oh my god. Jon, the referee, cannot see it? OK. The linesman cannot see it but if the VAR can’t see it it is because – oh my god.”
Foden provided three assists in a sparkling performance and Guardiola paid tribute to the England midfielder for staying on his feet after McCarthy’s challenge.
“The thing that made me so proud is the honesty from Phil and the second is what we have achieved these four or five years [under his management],” Guardiola said. “All we have achieved is because we are Manchester City – we did it for ourselves so big compliment to the players but the penalty [decision] is incredible.”
Guardiola was also pressed if having former players on VAR would improve the system.
“What is this about former players? Sky told me they made a zoom [close-up] of the action between Phil and the keeper [to show the foul clearly] so [why do we need] former players?” he said.
“In my time here in four or five years, I haven’t used referees [to help us]. I just want football to to be more clear and make the right decisions. We won 5-2. If we lost 5-2 I don’t make any comment. The comments must be given when you win. If not, it looks like an excuse. You have to ask the right people why they do it [these decisions].”
