Pep Guardiola Demands VAR Explanation After Semenyo Goal Is Disallowed

Pep Guardiola has said he expects an explanation from referees’ chief Howard Webb following a VAR decision that ruled out Antoine Semenyo’s goal during Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Newcastle United.

City moved a step closer to the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 win over the defending champions at St James’ Park on Tuesday in the first leg of their semi-final tie. However, the result did little to ease Guardiola’s frustration after a prolonged VAR review overturned what would have been Semenyo’s second goal of the evening.

The decision took almost six minutes to reach, leaving the City manager visibly irritated, particularly in light of previous VAR incidents involving his side at the same venue.

Guardiola referenced City’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle in November, when VAR failed to award a penalty after Phil Foden was challenged late by Fabian Schär. The Key Match Incidents Panel later ruled that the officials had made an error by not awarding a spot-kick.

“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 an insane penalty on Schär for Phil Foden and not even a consideration,” Guardiola said.

“Today, four people were not able to decide because the line was, I don’t know. But the second goal that Newcastle scored, the line was perfect. I’m not suspicious about that after 10 years. I didn’t say anything when we lost 2-1 here.

“I’m pretty sure Howard Webb is going to come in tomorrow to give an explanation of that.”

The City manager also revisited an incident from May’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, when goalkeeper Dean Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside the penalty area while denying Erling Haaland a goalscoring opportunity.

“I didn’t say anything in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace when it was a red card after 30 minutes for Henderson,” Guardiola added. “Did I say anything? No. It’s OK. It’s fine.

“In 10 years, when we lost semi-finals in big competitions, I didn’t say anything. On the touchline, sometimes. But here [in the news conference], nothing.”

The second leg of the semi-final will be played at the Etihad Stadium on 4 February, with the winners set to face either Chelsea or Arsenal in the final.