Pep Guardiola blasts referees and VAR as Manchester City's title race intensifies

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola compared the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to the flip of a coin on Tuesday and said his side must perform well enough to avoid being affected by controversial decisions in the Premier League title race.

In Short

• Pep Guardiola criticised referees and VAR in Premier League title race
• VAR decision disallowed West Ham's late equaliser vs Arsenal
• Manchester City focus on next matches to close the gap on Arsenal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola launched a scathing attack on referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system on Tuesday, saying he has “never trusted anything” involving officiating since arriving in England, as the Premier League title race heads towards a dramatic finish.

Guardiola’s comments came in the wake of fresh controversy surrounding VAR after league leaders Arsenal edged past West Ham United 1-0 on Sunday. West Ham thought they had snatched a late equaliser, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR review for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The decision has sparked debate across English football, with the title race entering its decisive phase. Arsenal now sit five points clear of City, although Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s home clash against Crystal Palace, Guardiola said City cannot afford to rely on refereeing decisions going in their favour and instead must ensure they perform well enough to stay above the chaos surrounding VAR.

“The only thing we can do is do it (perform) better, that is only in your control,” Guardiola told reporters.

“We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR. When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR.”

Guardiola, who has often spoken cautiously about officiating in England during his time at City, was unusually blunt in his assessment of VAR and referees, describing the system as unpredictable and unreliable.

“I never trust anything since I arrived (at City) a long time ago,” Guardiola said.

“I learned you have to do it better, be in a position to do it better because (if not) you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.”

The remarks underline the tension surrounding the title race, with every decision now carrying huge significance. Arsenal’s narrow win over West Ham has piled pressure on City, who can no longer afford many slip-ups in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Despite the growing intensity, Guardiola insisted his side remain focused only on the next challenge rather than looking too far ahead in the run-in.

“We play in this game, we go to Bournemouth and the last game in Aston Villa,” Guardiola said.

“The important one is tomorrow and we will see what happens to the next games.”

City host Crystal Palace on Wednesday knowing victory would cut Arsenal’s lead and keep the defending champions firmly in the hunt for another Premier League crown.

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