Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about his treatment of referees after controversy over a penalty claim against Wolves
Pep Guardiola the head coach / manager of Manchester City speaks with Referee Farai Hallam after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Manchester, England
Pep Guardiola the head coach / manager of Manchester City speaks with Referee Farai Hallam after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Manchester, England
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Pep Guardiola said that he had started to speak out against referees because nobody else would defend his Manchester City players as he stood by his criticism of Howard Webb and rookie Farai Hallam. Hallam was making his Premier League debut for the Wolves match when he was lambasted by Guardiola at full-time and criticised in the press conference afterwards.
It is not the first time the City manager has spoken out in recent weeks about refereeing decisions that he feels have gone against his team. His behaviour towards Hallam in particular did not go down well, but Guardiola was unrepentant as he insisted that the referee will be defended enough despite the inconsistencies in decisions across the league.
"If he feels offended, I'm so sorry. I know it's not easy making a debut," he said. "Just take a look in ten years in the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace and it's a natural position and it was a red card, look at my comments after the game. never in our defeats did I criticise referees, I know it's a difficult job.
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"Look what happens today in boxes in corners and every action. It's not easy and every action is a foul. I know it's not easy but I have to defend my club and my players and never ever in ten years in the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cups, the first statement is congratulations to the opponent. All the time.
"If you say for one time or two times in ten years, ok it's fine. Everyone defends their position. You defend where you work.
"When you are six minutes for a disallowed goal in the Carabao Cup, I have to tell. The hands against Wolves it's happened and after what happened with Crystal Palace and Chelsea I have to tell. I don't think the referees are going to defend us so I have to defend myself. I think that's fair.
"They defend each other with statements, completely understandable but I have to defend my club. How many times did I criticise referees last season? It never happened.
"Against United, what were my comments about the referee? I was incredibly respectful in nine or ten years with referees, never commenting on anything. I know they defend each other and pundits and everyone defends them but I defend my players and my club."