Pep Guardiola has defended the integrity of referees in English football after the backlash to Nottingham Forest’s statement on Stuart Attwell’s involvement in their defeat at Everton.
The Manchester City manager insisted that he ‘absolutely disagrees’ with Forest’s accusation of bias regarding the appointment of the Luton Town fan as a VAR official.
The Premier League manager said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ and added that it was ‘never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials’.
‘I absolutely disagree,’ Guardiola said. ‘The referees want to do the job as best as possible. They feel the pressure, we put pressure on them for the passion of the game in the moment.
‘But when I sit here and reflect, they try to do their best and are under scrutiny with the cameras there. When they make a mistake, they feel bad. It's normal.
‘They do the job, they want to do it well. The game is so difficult, it is fast and quick, decisions have to be made in one instant. It's not easy.’
Guardiola confirmed that top scorer Erling Haaland’s muscle issue has not cleared up in time to make Thursday’s trip down to Brighton – but does have a double injury boost.
Phil Foden missed training on Tuesday but is available for the clash, while John Stones is ready after coming off at half time of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Chelsea.
‘I have huge admiration (for Roberto De Zerbi) and it is growing every season,’ Guardiola added. ‘They had a lot of problems, important players were sold like Colwill, Caicedo, Mac Allister. They have a lot of injuries and play three competitions but the way they play is always there. He is doing an incredible job at Brighton.’
jhkr
0
what's up
bro with referees on now days he will come and explain
bidcepst
0
and you think they haven't against pep ?
rezdeilntu
1
haaaaa may be not today maybe not tomorrow but one day he will eat his words unless otherwise
what's up
lutadiksy
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he defends them coz he has benefited from poor officiating
k8_reds
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Come on Pep we all know who feeds them..most corrupted match official and FA.
rabdoprz
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pep try to be nice so that ref will be they side any game them played the way ref deny Chelsea penalty because the want city to be in final
Kesadlor
2
city still need referees to be by their side as they will continue to bribe them 💰💰
Seddekoprt
2
Even Guardiola knows English referees are very corrupt. they need some dark skin referees.
Temaklnpt
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NATURE will allow him to receive his own portion of EPL referee bad decision b4 the season end that will cost him points. He doesn't know that forest is fighting for their survival.
Vahclnuz
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Cheap popularity by Gudiola too woo corrupt and bias refrees
HERMANNO19
1
Of course, Guardiola himself got 2-3 advantages from the referees this season. Therefore, he can only be pleased.
hizdmoprtz
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Yeah because they always work in your favor. Well paid.
well said
Zuhdeimsz
1
Yeah because they always work in your favor. Well paid.
soplrstyz
1
Because it went in favour against Chelsea during FA semi
jhkr
0
haaaaa may be not today maybe not tomorrow but one day he will eat his words unless otherwise
videmprstu
2
sensible talk from goat chaoch