Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reiterated his deep-seated distrust of Video Assistant Referees (VAR), stating he has "never trusted anything" with the technology since his arrival in England. This sentiment surfaces as Manchester City faces Crystal Palace on Wednesday, a match that could narrow the gap at the top of the Premier League table. Guardiola, however, insists his team's focus must remain on their own performance, not on officiating decisions, an approach he claims is necessary given past experiences where crucial moments have seemingly gone against his side.
Guardiola's consistent critique suggests a pattern of perceived officiating disadvantages, irrespective of the specific competition or opponent.
The manager's comments come in the wake of several recent incidents that have fueled his skepticism. This includes a disallowed goal for his team during a Carabao Cup semi-final victory against Newcastle United on January 14, 2026, where a lengthy VAR review intervened. He also pointed to a penalty decision, or lack thereof, in a recent 2-0 win against Wolves on January 24, 2026, where the referee, officiating his first Premier League game, reviewed replays without awarding a spot-kick. Guardiola has previously highlighted how decisions have impacted his team's fortunes, including an instance in the FA Cup final where a goalkeeper was not sent off for handling outside the area.
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His remarks also touch upon the broader impact of VAR, suggesting it creates "confusion" that makes it difficult for managers to manage their own reactions post-match. This was notably expressed after controversy surrounding the Newcastle v Arsenal game around November 6, 2023, where a goal was allowed to stand after a triple VAR check. Guardiola implies that even referees themselves find the system challenging.
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The manager’s frustration isn't limited to recent events, as he claims this feeling of distrust has persisted throughout his ten years managing in England, citing losses in semi-finals and finals where he believes his team was unfavorably treated. Despite the strong language, Guardiola has, at times, been careful to clarify that he is not alleging bias, but rather a consistent pattern of adverse outcomes and perceived inefficiencies with the technology. His immediate focus, he stresses, is on his team’s own execution, particularly in the upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace.
