Guardiola apologises to ref Hallam but ‘defends’ outburst

Farai Hallam, the new Premier League official, has apologized to Pep Guardiola if he “feels offended,” having previously criticized the official following Manchester City’s victory over Wolves on Saturday.

The Spaniard, however, said he must “defend my club and my players.”

Despite being instructed by the video assistant referee (VAR) to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, City manager Guardiola took offense at Hallam’s decision to decline to award his team a penalty for an apparent handball by visiting defender Yerson Mosquera despite making his top-flight debut.

Guardiola responded, “With their statements, they defend each other, [that is] completely understandable. That must be done by them.

“But I also have to protect my club. How many times did I criticize the officials during the worst season in ten years? How frequently?

I’m so sorry if he offends me, “I’m sorry.” It’s happened, and I’m aware that it’s not easy on the debut. I am aware that everyone is very sensitive.

Guardiola stated following the game that he would be waiting for a call from the referees’ chief, Howard Webb, to “explain why it is not a penalty.”

Guardiola made the third reference to Webb in two weeks in a press conference, saying: “Never, ever, in ten years I have criticised the referees. This season, I’m arguing and explaining why we did it.

I stand up for my team and my players. The referees are defended by Howard Webb. That must be done by him.

To avoid missing an additional two games in a play-off, City must defeat Turkish giants Galatasaray on Wednesday in order to regain their lead.

He defended his officiating position in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, referring to Crystal Palace defender Jaydee Canvot’s handball against Chelsea on Sunday and Antoine Semenyo’s disallowed goal for offside against Erling Haaland in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie at Newcastle.

The first thing we do when we lose in the Champions League, Premier League, or FA Cup is congratulate the opponent constantly, Guardiola said. “I do it because I think it’s appropriate to say it,” I said.

Everyone defends his position, but when you say once or twice over the course of ten years that you are the type to complain, that’s fine. For what has happened numerous times, I stand up for my team and my players.

For the majority of the season, Guardiola’s anger over refereeing decisions has been bubbling beneath the surface.

But he hasn’t been able to control his feelings throughout the month.

Prior to the most recent incidents, Guardiola had at least some complaints.

In the November 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel concluded that City should have received a penalty.

After Phil Foden had released a shot, home defender Fabian Schar caught him, but the VAR did not intervene.

In the same game, Bruno Guimaraes scored a goal that appeared to be offside, but it was within the 5 cm tolerance range.

The recent decisions had a more subjective impact.

Semenyo’s goal at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup should not have been blocked by a VAR intervention, according to PGMO. Although the VAR overstepped the law, the offside against Haaland was technically correct.

Referee Anthony Taylor’s accurate description of the incident helped Diogo Dalot’s potential red card for a studs-up challenge on Jeremy Doku in the Manchester derby. If the decision on the field had been a red card, that would have also had a chance, according to Webb.

Similar to the Mosquera handball was also present. Because the Wolves player’s arms were extending outward from his body, you could argue for a penalty.

You could argue, however, that his arms would be in that position as he slowed his assault on Omar Marmoush.