Pep Guardiola referenced recent VAR controversies involving Tottenham and Arsenal after he wasn’t happy with an incident during his Man City’s side 5-2 win against Southampton on Wednesday night.
Annoyed at Phil Foden not being awarded a penalty, Guardiola told Sky Sports that he ‘doesn’t understand’ how Fulham’s goal against Spurs was disallowed’ last week for handball.
And how Arsenal weren’t awarded a penalty after cries that Phil Bardsley handled the ball during the Gunners’ 1-1 draw against Burnley this past weekend.
During last night’s game, Saints keeper, McCarthy mis-controlled a backpass that was intercepted by Foden, who knocked the ball past him before he was taken out by the 31-year-old.
To nobody’s shock, nothing was awarded!
That left Guardiola pretty annoyed, as he labelled the decision, both from the on-field referee, Jon Moss, and VAR, as ‘incredible and he hilariously made sure that the word ‘in-cred-ible’ was emphasised.
“I don’t understand how Fulham disallowed goal against Tottenham,” said Guardiola. “I don’t understand the hands from Arsenal against Burnley. And another example is the penalty today.
“Like we won, it’s incredible and happy and everything. But Jon (Moss) cannot see it. But the VAR is there.
“Don’t listen the penalty is incredible. You know that for a long time, for about four or five years, I never complain about the referees. But this action is really in-cred-ible, in-cred-ible.
“The same with Fulham and Arsenal, with the hands. Maybe, one day, they will explain to us really the rule for all the managers and the players.”
It’s not the fault of VAR itself, but those behind the wheel, on the pitch and the law-makers who are destroying the game.
Tottenham and Arsenal are going to clash in a pretty heated and tasty North London derby on Sunday.
And both supporters, for once and once only, will re-unite in hoping that VAR does its job.
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