Overview
- Pep Guardiola said he is sorry if Farai Hallam felt offended but insisted he will keep calling out decisions to defend Manchester City and its players.
- Guardiola again named PGMOL chief Howard Webb and said he expects an explanation for why Yerson Mosquera’s handball was not penalised.
- Reports state Hallam is not on next weekend’s Premier League list and will referee Stoke City vs Southampton in the Championship, a common assignment pattern for newer officials.
- Guardiola cited a run of calls he believes went against City, including the disallowed Antoine Semenyo goal at Newcastle, a marginal offside against Erling Haaland, Diogo Dalot’s challenge on Jérémy Doku, and last season’s FA Cup final incident.
- The debate over VAR guidance versus on-field discretion continues as City prepare to face Galatasaray needing a win to try to finish in the Champions League top eight and avoid a play-off round.