Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Pep Guardiola unleashed an extraordinary rant during previous VAR calls against Manchester City following Antoine Semenyo’s controversial disallowed goal in their first-leg win at Newcastle.
Semenyo scored again for City as his new club took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against title holders Newcastle – but was controversially denied another goal by VAR.
Semenyo’s opener, expertly headed by Bernardo Silva, was quickly followed by a smart finish from a corner, only for referee Chris Kavanagh to be sent to the pitchside monitor to review a ‘subjective offside’ call regarding Erling Haaland.
There was no doubt that the City striker was slightly ahead of the last defender, but aside from offside, the dispute was over his interference with play as he struggled with Malick Thiaw near the line. VAR felt Haaland was getting in the way, and ultimately Kavanagh agreed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Antoine Semenyo thought he had scored his second goal but it was ruled out for a “subjective offside” call
“Four officials and VAR couldn’t make the decision, they had to go to the referee,” said Guardiola, who decided to bring up some previous VAR calls that went against his team last year.
“I don’t understand why during the Premier League match with Schar on Phil [Foden] why VAR didn’t say anything. Then the penalty with Doku and Thiaw.
“Today the line was perfect. Millimeters. I don’t understand but I’m pretty sure the official will call me tomorrow to explain why the VAR didn’t intervene at 0-0 here. [St James’ Park] in the Premier League.
“Look back at my press conference. I didn’t say anything after that match.
“But here, VAR intervenes but not for two incredible penalties.
“We know how it works and it will make us stronger. I’ve told the team many times, it’s always about this. This is how we react and how we compete.
“In the championship game here, 60 minutes and 20 minutes, take a look.
“I said it today because we won. Tell me if I said anything after the game we lost.
“In 10 years here, I know what will happen. The line was perfect today.
When asked to clarify what he thought about what was happening, he replied: “Ask them. Who is the boss of the referees? Ask him.” [Howard Webb]. It’s the semi-finals. We play a lot to reach the final. It will make us stronger. »
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
“Did you watch the FA Cup final again last season? When [Dean] Henderson touched the ball outside the box. Did I say something? »
“The big clubs overcome these situations.
“It’s part of the game, we have to do better.
“We know this is going to happen, so we have to do better.”
Asked if it could still have an impact, he added: “That’s not the question.
“Newcastle could also score goals.
“It’s about the fact that VAR took nine minutes to disallow a goal and why they didn’t even say anything about the two senseless penalties at 0-0 at Newcastle.”
What past incidents does Pep highlight?
Incident 1: In the first half of Newcastle win against Man City in NovemberCity players were furious with referee Sam Barrott for not awarding a penalty after Fabian Schar caught Phil Foden after he had shot at goal. VAR said this was a consequence of momentum and not recklessness.
Phil Foden was caught late by Fabian Schar in the 2-1 defeat but no penalty was awarded
Incident 2: Pep also referenced a potential penalty for a Malick Thiaw handball in that match which was not awarded as a penalty when Jeremy Doku’s strike was blocked.
Incident 3: Dean Henderson starred for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup final win over Manchester City – but should the goalkeeper have been sent off? In the 24th minute, Henderson handled the ball outside his area, pushing it away from Erling Haaland as the Man City striker attempted to rush onto a pass.
VAR decided not to send off Dean Henderson in FA Cup final
Referee Stuart Attwell and his assistant referees appeared to think the incident had happened inside the penalty area as they allowed play to continue. VAR Jarred Gillett believed Henderson had committed a handball infraction. However, Gillett apparently judged that, as the ball was moving away from goal, Haaland did not have a clear chance to score.
Richards on Pep’s VAR rant: I liked it
Sky Sports’ Micah Richards gives his thoughts on Guardiola’s VAR comments:
“He was excited. I like seeing him like that.
“He’s right. I don’t think there’s a plan against Man City but I like the fact that he called VAR.
“If it’s offside that’s fine, but why does it take five and a half minutes? It puts doubt in your mind and then you take away goals for it. I understand why he’s frustrated.
“I love that he fights.”
“It’s the world against Pep and Man City”
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp said:
“Pep is trying to create this mentality of ‘us against the world’.
“He is enjoying the battle at the moment and the players are getting back into shape.
“The next time there is an important VAR decision involving Man City, Pep will create doubt.
“He’s just trying to make people believe that City will make the next decision.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Redknapp described Rayan Cherki as a ‘wizard of the ball’ and said he was the signing of the season after the Frenchman impressed once again
Silva: It should have been 3-0
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva to ITV on the disallowed goal:
“Happy but it’s only one stage, we have the second at home. A very good result.
“It should have been 3-0 but we’re pretty used to it at the moment.”
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to say too much because we know how these things work. I saw it, it seemed very close to me but it is what it is. It’s so frustrating because the last time we came here we also had a lot of decisions that went against us.
“Even though we won, it was just frustrating to be honest.”
