Pep Guardiola Explodes in Epic VAR Rant, Blasting Five Controversial Calls Over Eight Months
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's manager, finally vented his accumulated anger with VAR following Tuesday's Carabao Cup semifinal triumph against Newcastle United.
The Spanish tactician watched his January acquisition Antoine Semenyo have a second strike ruled out at St James' Park following a lengthy four-minute VAR examination that found Erling Haaland marginally offside and impacting the play. The new arrival, who had netted the opener ten minutes prior, supported his coach's view: "That second goal was legitimate."
Rayan Cherki eventually secured a 2–0 advantage for the away side to carry into the return fixture at the Etihad Stadium next month, providing Guardiola with the winning foundation to express his seething anger.
"We understand the system and it will strengthen our resolve," the City manager raged to Sky Sports. "I've repeatedly told the squad, it's always about that. It's how we respond and how we fight in those moments."
Remarkably, Guardiola's six-minute tirade—exceeding the duration of any VAR check—didn't focus exclusively on Semenyo's strike. These sentiments of apparent unfairness trace back to last season's FA Cup final.
Semenyo's Disallowed Goal—Jan. 14, 2026
Semenyo's Disallowed Goal—Jan. 14, 2026
With VAR requiring 5 minutes to reverse Semenyo's second for Man City tonight, should there be an examination of technology's role in football? pic.twitter.com/aSUwK62Zjd
Semenyo freed himself from a cluster of players during a second-half corner for City on Tuesday evening, cleverly twisting his frame to backheel the ball into the net. The strike was initially awarded by the match officials, but VAR Stuart Attwell ultimately ruled that Haaland had marginally stepped offside. The margin was tight, though typical in the era of semi-automated systems.
The goal's cancellation required referee Chris Kavanagh's approval since Haaland hadn't made contact with the ball. Nevertheless, a pitchside examination of the play led the official to conclude that City's forward had actively disrupted play by blocking Malick Thiaw from clearing Semenyo's spectacular attempt off the goal line.
"Four match officials and VAR couldn't make the call, requiring the referee's involvement," Guardiola raged, later adding with clear irony: "Tonight, the line was flawless. Millimetres."
Two 'Insane' Penalty Appeals—Nov. 22, 2025
Two 'Insane' Penalty Appeals—Nov. 22, 2025
Phil Foden was furious after Fabian Schar's delayed challenge left him sprawled in the Newcastle United penalty box.
The Manchester City attacker completed his shot, but the Swiss defender crashed into him after the ball had departed.
VAR reviewed the incident, but… pic.twitter.com/1zQlFrqkm8
This VAR decision triggered Guardiola to passionately recall City's earlier visit to Tyneside this campaign. According to the incensed manager, the visitors had "two insane penalties" ignored by officials while the match remained scoreless. Newcastle subsequently secured a 2–1 victory.
"During the league match here, at 60 and 20 minutes, examine it," Guardiola emphasized, completely unprompted. "I can't comprehend why in the Premier League encounter with [Fabian] Schär on Phil [Foden] VAR remained silent. Then the penalty involving [Jérémy] Doku and Thiaw."
Schär struck Foden with a delayed tackle in the opening period of City's earlier Newcastle encounter in November. The England star had already released his shot, which likely influenced officials to view the substantial contact from the Magpies defender more favorably. BBC Sport later confirmed that an independent panel of official VAR assessors classified this as one of 13 mistakes during the Premier League season's first half.
The second incident highlighted by Guardiola didn't receive the same classification, with the panel supporting the decision to dismiss handball appeals when Thiaw deflected Doku's close-range effort with his arm.
"Review my post-match comments. I remained silent after that match. But here, VAR interferes yet not for two incredible penalties," Guardiola complained. "I'm speaking now because we prevailed. Show me if I commented after the defeat. In my decade here, I understand the pattern."
Dean Henderson Handball—May 17, 2025
Dean Henderson Handball—May 17, 2025
Guardiola was questioned about these alleged shortcomings. "Question them," he responded dismissively. "Who leads the referees? Ask him [Howard Webb]. This is the semifinal. We're competing for significant stakes to reach the final. It will strengthen us.
"Did you examine last season's FA Cup final?" Guardiola pressed on, the discussion of major matches triggering a memory of VAR errors. "When [Dean] Henderson handled the ball beyond his area. Did I comment?"
The City manager referenced the highly disputed decision to ignore an incident from last May's FA Cup final where the Crystal Palace keeper appeared to grab the ball away from Haaland while outside his penalty box.
With VAR present, this Dean Henderson handball in the FA Cup final went unpunished! #PorLasQueMueres ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/DLXn42PFXh
The match officials incorrectly believed Henderson remained within his penalty area. VAR Jarred Gillett recognized he wasn't but determined the ball was moving away from goal, concluding that Haaland hadn't been denied an obvious scoring chance, saving Henderson from a red card. ITV analyst Ian Wright set aside his Palace loyalties when calling the decision "completely ridiculous."
Henderson stayed on the field to deny Omar Marmoush's first-half spot kick and secure a memorable 1–0 triumph. Guardiola didn't challenge the incident in his media appearance—"That's not my concern" was his only response—but was observed arguing with the goalkeeper on Wembley's pitch after the match ended.
"Elite clubs navigate these challenges," Guardiola concluded from St James' Park's depths, carrying a 2–0 aggregate advantage and having released some pent-up frustrations. "It's football's nature, we must improve. We anticipate these situations, so we must perform better."