"It's too much" — Pep Guardiola Slams Officials After Manchester City’s Win Over Wolves
The City boss criticises Premier League officials and PGMOL chief Howard Webb following controversial calls in their 2-0 victory, highlighting the challenges faced by fast attackers like Jeremy Doku.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his frustration at recent refereeing decisions, claiming his side overcame Wolves in their 2-0 victory despite the officials’ performance. The Spaniard was particularly critical of PGMOL chief Howard Webb for defending a controversial call during the Premier League clash, which Guardiola believes unfairly impacted City’s squad.
Furious Over Wolves Decision
City’s win against Wolves was marred by controversy when winger Omar Marmoush demanded a penalty for a handball by Wolves’ defender Yerson Mosquera. The incident was referred to VAR, and referee Farai Hallam, making his Premier League debut, reviewed the footage. Hallam ultimately upheld his initial decision, stating that Mosquera’s arms were in a natural position when the ball struck him.
Guardiola, however, was unimpressed by both the call and Webb’s public support of the decision. “I would love to have players to fight against that,” he said, referencing his team’s inability to challenge certain decisions over the past two seasons. “We won despite them. We did six Premier Leagues in nine years, so why do I not have the players?”
The City boss also pointed to the incident involving Diogo Dalot’s tackle on Jeremy Doku during the Manchester derby, which resulted in the winger missing City’s midweek Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt. Guardiola’s frustration with officials has been simmering for years, but he feels the current system fails to protect players in high-speed situations.
“Bring Back the Players”
Guardiola repeatedly called for more protection for his squad, saying, “Please bring me back the players, please, to fight what we have done since day one. It’s too much.” He highlighted the difficulty for fast players like Doku, who frequently suffer fouls but are often deemed to be diving due to their pace.
“Do you know how many fouls they believe is diving from Jeremy? At the beginning of the season they tell us that long balls when central defenders go over the shoulders of the striker, it will be a foul. We had a good meeting. Do you know how many fouls for Erling Haaland? He has had more fouls whistled against him than for him. It’s again and again.”
Guardiola’s message was clear: referees need to adapt to modern football, particularly when protecting players who rely on speed and agility. His concern isn’t just about one incident, but a series of calls that he believes disadvantage his team.
Reaction to Howard Webb
The City manager also criticised Webb, suggesting that the PGMOL chief should explain decisions more clearly to the public. “I’m pretty sure that Howard Webb tomorrow is going to appear in the media to explain why it’s not a penalty and what he did against United, like it was the first time he had done it because there was a little bit of doubt,” Guardiola said.
By addressing Webb directly, Guardiola underscored his frustration with what he sees as inconsistent officiating. While City managed to secure the win against Wolves, the manager stressed that repeated controversies could affect his team’s momentum, particularly in the tight Premier League and Champions League schedules.
Consistency and Fairness in the Premier League
Guardiola’s concerns touch on a broader debate about consistency in officiating in English football. Fast, attacking players like Doku and Haaland often face physical challenges from defenders that are difficult to call in real time. Managers and analysts have repeatedly called for clear guidelines and better VAR application to avoid unfair outcomes.
Despite the controversy, Manchester City’s performance against Wolves demonstrated resilience. Omar Marmoush scored early, and Antoine Semenyo added a stoppage-time goal to secure a 2-0 victory. However, Guardiola’s comments show that even wins can be overshadowed by what he considers questionable officiating.
As Manchester City continue their Premier League and Champions League campaigns, Guardiola is expected to maintain pressure on referees and PGMOL. His main concern remains ensuring that elite players are treated fairly and that controversial decisions do not influence the outcomes of key matches.
“Come tomorrow to explain the rules how it works again,” Guardiola said, highlighting his determination to see reform in officiating standards. For now, City will focus on their performances on the pitch, but the manager’s warning is clear: the officials’ decisions are under scrutiny, and he expects accountability.
