Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has launched a sensational attack on referees and VAR, claiming his side lost two FA Cup finals due to officiating failures.
In a pre-match press conference, the City boss declared: “We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR.” The outspoken comments come ahead of another crucial fixture as Guardiola continues to voice long-held frustrations. City lost the 2024 FA Cup Final 2-1 to Manchester United and the 2025 final 1-0 to Crystal Palace. In both matches, Guardiola and fans highlighted contentious decisions, including denied penalties and controversial calls involving Erling Haaland.
Guardiola stressed that while his team must perform better to overcome such moments, poor officiating has cost them silverware. He advised his players to win convincingly enough to eliminate any doubt from referees or VAR.
The remarks have ignited fierce debate across football circles. Supporters are divided some back Guardiola’s honesty about systemic issues in English football refereeing, while critics accuse him of sour grapes and undermining officials.
This latest controversy adds fuel to ongoing discussions about VAR accuracy, referee consistency, and pressure on match officials in high-stakes games like the FA Cup.
As Manchester City push for more trophies, Guardiola’s comments highlight the intense scrutiny on decisions at the highest level. Will his team channel this frustration into future success, or will referee debates continue to shadow their campaigns