Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola launched a fierce criticism of VAR officials following his side’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semifinal win at Newcastle United, demanding an explanation from referees’ chief Howard Webb.
“I Want to Know Why”: Guardiola’s Fiery Attack on Premier League VAR
The focal point of Guardiola’s post-match frustration was a disallowed goal from Antoine Semenyo.
With City already leading, Semenyo found the net again, only for a lengthy VAR review lasting nearly five minutes to rule the effort out for a marginal offside.
Despite the comfortable first-leg victory, Guardiola used his press conference to air longstanding grievances.
He specifically referenced a penalty incident in City’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle in November, where the Key Match Incidents Panel later admitted officials wrongly denied Phil Foden a spot-kick after a challenge from Fabian Schär.
“I would like to know why, in the Premier League game, it was an insane penalty on Foden and not even a consideration,” Guardiola stated.
“Today, four people were not able to decide quickly. I’m pretty sure Howard Webb is going to come in tomorrow to give an explanation.”
The City boss also recalled May’s FA Cup final loss, suggesting Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson should have received a red card for a handball outside his area.
Guardiola stressed his general reluctance to publicly criticize officials, making this outburst notable.
“In ten years, when we lost semifinals in big competitions, I didn’t say anything here. But now I want to know,” he emphasized.
The result leaves City firmly in control of the semifinal tie ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on February 4.
However, Guardiola’s sharp words have shifted post-match attention squarely onto the performance of the video officials.
