The nine referee decisions that have left Man City raging

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has lost his patience with the Premier League match officials in recent weeks leading to outbursts against the standard of refereeing

In his pre-match press conferences, Pep Guardiola has stressed his sympathy towards the referees and the match officials. He has also insisted he does not use the referees as an excuse if his Manchester City team do not pick up the victory and, to his credit, this is mostly true.

But, in the last few weeks and months, Guardiola has found it difficult to keep his feelings under wraps about the standard of officiating in the Premier League and Carabao Cup. This frustration is shared by his players too with Rodri launching a spectacular rant against the referees following the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

"I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. And for me, honestly, it's not fair," he said. "It's not fair because we work so hard in these situations, and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.

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"Of course you need to come back, but at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it's so clear, the foul. He (Solanke) kicked the leg, and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in.

"We have to pay attention to these little things, otherwise it's going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this. It's about small details and everything counts, so I think this is a very tough day for us in this sense.

"Honestly, I never speak about referees. I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things. He's kicked the leg. It's so clear."

So with the opinions surrounding the match officials reaching an all-time low at the Etihad Stadium, MEN Sport has taken a closer look at the decisions during recent matches which have left Guardiola and City raging.

Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester City - November 22, 2025

Fabian Schar challenge on Phil Foden

After being played through by Jeremy Doku, Foden managed to get his shot off however the Newcastle defender lunged in, took none of the ball and all of the England international's trailing leg. The decision was made not to award a penalty which was baffling at the time.

However, it has been brought into even sharper focus this week after Fulham were awarded a penalty for Harry Maguire's challenge on Raul Jimenez at Old Trafford. The Mexican had got his shot off then when the tackle came in which will leave Guardiola and co. what the difference was between the two challenges.

"I will say it now. I would like to know why VAR, in the Premier League game at Newcastle, when we lost 2-1, it was 0-0, and it was an insane penalty on Schar for Phil Foden and not even a consideration," Guardiola said about this incident just last month. The Premier League Match Centre confirmed the penalty was not given due to it being a 'consequence of momentum rather than a reckless challenge'.

Malick Thiaw handball

Doku was again involved in this penalty appeal as he cut inside and fired a shot towards goal which struck the hand of the Newcastle centre-back. Replays showed Doku was close to Thiaw when the defender blocked the effort with his hand.

However, City's point was that Thiaw's hand was in an unnatural position. The officials decided it was in a natural position and the game continued. Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher argued this was the right call because if the ball did not strike his arm, it would have hit his body instead.

Harvey Barnes winner

In the build-up to Newcastle's winner, it appeared that Bruno Guimaraes had strayed offside. When the lines were drawn, it seemed to show Ruben Dias keeping the midfielder onside and the goal stood.

Unlike other competitions, the Premier League gives a 5cm grace for offside meaning Guimaraes was in an offside position but not offside enough to fall foul of the leniency afforded in the English top flight with the new semi-automated offside technology.

Manchester City 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion - January 7, 2026

Jeremy Doku penalty not initially given

Guardiola was apoplectic on the touchline when it was initially decided that City would not be given a penalty for a challenge on Doku. This incident was reviewed by VAR who decided a 'careless tackle' had occurred and thus a penalty should be awarded.

When it seemed like the spot kick would not be given, Guardiola was booked for arguing his point to the fourth official. This booking saw him banned from the touchline for City's 10-1 win over Exeter in the FA Cup.

Explaining what happened, Guardiola said: "I was complaining why it wasn't a penalty. And after it was - I was right. It was a penalty. I don't know how the referee didn't whistle and VAR had to do it. It's an easy job for the referees now."

Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City - January 13, 2026

Antoine Semenyo goal ruled out

Back at St James' Park, City were left scratching their heads when Semenyo was denied a brace after VAR adjudged Erling Haaland to be in an offside position and interfering with goalkeeper Nick Pope as Semenyo flicked the ball towards goal. Replays showed the Norwegian to be in an offside position but Pope had already been wrong-footed by the effort.

It took VAR five minutes to decide Semenyo's goal should be ruled out for offside with it being deemed subjective enough for the referee Chris Kavanagh to go to his monitor. As he left the pitch, Semenyo told the TV camera: "Second goal should have counted by the way, just saying."

Guardiola was less calm in his post-match interviews. "Four officials and VAR were not able to take the decision, they had to go to the referee," he said.

"Today, the line was perfect. Millimetres. I don't understand. We know how it works and that will make us stronger. I've said it many times to the team, it is always about that. It's in that situation how we react and how we compete.

"Ask them. Who is the boss of the referees? Ask him [Howard Webb]. It's the semi-finals. We play for a lot to reach the finals. It will make us stronger."

It remains to be seen if that decision will come back to haunt City in the second leg.

Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City - January 17, 2026

Diogo Dalot escapes red card for Doku foul

In the opening stages of the Manchester derby, Dalot lunged into a challenge on Doku with his studs up and caught Doku. He was awarded a yellow card for the tackle.

Webb said afterwards that he was not convinced excessive force was used by Dalot and therefore the decision was subjective. He believed in this instance VAR was right not to intervene.

"He should be sent off, it's a red card since the game. But it will be poor as a manager, I've never been that, if you analyse that, to win or lose a game," Guardiola argued post-match.

"It's a red card - definitely. But that will not make us grow up."

Manchester City 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers - January 24, 2026

Yerson Mosquera handball not overturned

The Wolves defender Mosquera appeared to handle the ball as Omar Marmoush tried to flick it beyond him. VAR Darren England told referee Farai Hallam to check the decision of no penalty but after going to the monitor, Hallam decided not to award the spot kick.

This contributed to Guardiola losing his cool at full-time and confronting the referee, who was making his debut in the Premier League that afternoon.

Yerson Mosquera not sent off for Doku foul

Mosquera was back in the spotlight later after leaving Doku in a heap, having caught the back of his leg with his studs. Referee Hallam gave a yellow card but this was deemed too lenient by the City boss and led to an extraordinary outburst from Guardiola after the match.

"We won despite them [the officials]," he said. "The referee made a huge debut, now everybody will know him.

"I think it's the first time they went to the TV and disallowed it for a 'normal' position of the arms." He would then continue: "But it's okay. I'm waiting for tomorrow. Don't wait for Wednesday – we have the Champions League and we are busy. Howard Webb, come tomorrow and explain why it's not a penalty."

Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester City - February 1, 2026

Dominic Solanke goal awarded

The most recent decision to anger City sparked the Rodri rant. This time, the officials decided Solanke won the ball as he kicked through the leg of Marc Guehi to pull one back for Spurs.

This sparked Tottenham's comeback and ensured the points were shared. While Guardiola did not go as far as Rodri, he did share his disappointment with the decision.

"If a central defender does that to a striker, it's a penalty, right?" Guardiola asked the journalists in his post-match press conference.

His bemusement for that decision summed up just how aggrieved Guardiola and City feel at this moment.