""If he [Hallam] feels offended, I'm so sorry," Guardiola said. "With their statements, they [the referees] defend each other, [that is] completely understandable. "They have to do that. But at the same time I have to defend my club. How many times did I criticise the referees last season, which was the worst season in 10 years? How many times? It never happened. Against [Manchester] United, what happened? After the United game, what were my comments against the referees? Tell me.""
""I was incredibly respectful in my nine or 10 years with the referees, in defeats and everything, never commenting on absolutely anything. I know they defend each other and pundits and everyone defends them. And I understand completely. But I defend my players and I defend my club. That's why I owe [it to] them -- my club and my people -- what happened in that.""
Manchester City manager doubled down on criticism of referees after debutant official Farai Hallam rejected VAR advice and denied a potential City penalty in a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The manager defended his public comments as a duty to protect his players and the club, noting he had been largely respectful of officials in prior years. He cited a series of decisions he believes have gone against his team, referencing incidents involving Newcastle, Manchester United and last season's FA Cup final. He acknowledged referees and pundits naturally defend colleagues but insisted on defending his club.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]