Premier League officiating has come under scrutiny in recent times, with the high-profile controversy during Liverpool’s defeat to Tottenham. Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has weighed in on the matter, criticizing the referees and Video Assistant Referees (VARs) for stealing the limelight and urging them to take a step back.
Guardiola empathizes with Liverpool’s outrage over the incorrect ruling out of Luis Díaz’s goal due to an offside call that arose from a miscommunication between VAR Darren England and on-field referee Simon Hooper. He believes that referees should be more humble and allow the focus to remain on the players and the game itself. Guardiola emphasizes that the main roles should be reserved for the players, not the officials.
The Manchester City manager calls for a reevaluation of the current system, not only in England but in all countries. He suggests that referees and VARs should step back and let the players take center stage. Guardiola argues that officials should adopt a more humble approach and allow the players to perform their duties without constant interference. By doing so, Guardiola believes that the game would benefit and be enriched.
Guardiola made these remarks ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League trip to RB Leipzig. After consecutive defeats to Newcastle and Wolves, City aims to bounce back and secure a positive result against Leipzig. Guardiola acknowledges the intensity and quality of Leipzig’s gameplay under the guidance of manager Marco Rose. He highlights Leipzig’s attacking style and their ability to exploit space with a well-structured midfield.
Guardiola expresses the significance of this match for Manchester City and their ambitions to progress to the next round of the Champions League. He believes that securing a favorable result against Leipzig would be a decisive step forward in their qualification aspirations.
In terms of City’s squad, Guardiola reveals that Bernardo Silva and John Stones may be available for the Leipzig clash. Both players trained on Tuesday morning and traveled with the team to Germany. Stones has been out of action since picking up a hip injury in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in August, while Silva has not featured since the 3-1 victory against Red Star Belgrade in the group stage of the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s comments shed light on the growing concern surrounding the role of referees and VARs in football. He cautions officials to reevaluate their involvement and allow the players to take center stage. With Manchester City facing a crucial Champions League tie, Guardiola aims to refocus the attention on the game itself while hoping for a positive outcome. The presence of Bernardo Silva and John Stones in the squad could provide a much-needed boost to City’s chances.
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