Guardiola criticises referees and "understands" Liverpool fury after VAR mistake

03 October 2023 , 19:11

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Pep Guardiola made his feelings clear (Image: Football Daily)

Pep Guardiola has slammed referees for taking the "leading role" in matches since the introduction of VAR.

The Manchester City boss also says that he "understands" Liverpool's frustration after their disallowed goal against Tottenham was proved to have been the incorrect decision following a miscommunication between the officials. The incident has sparked a huge debate over how VAR is used in the Premier League and Guardiola feels that it's made referees too focussed on being the star of the show.

"The referees and the VARs are the leading roles," the City manager claimed ahead of his side's Champions League group-stage clash away to to RB Leipzig on Wednesday. "And the Oscar goes to… They have to make a step back. It's the players. Some games, be more humble and leave the players to do what they have to do, and they will be better. They will be better."

Guardiola went on to say: "They will have to find a system where the main roles are the players and the game itself. In all the countries, not just here. It changed the job of the referees because now they don't make the decisions, it goes to the VAR. I understand the feeling of Liverpool but the bosses of the referees will decide.

Asked if he had any ideas to improve VAR, Guardiola replied: "No. I'm not a professional in that to apply it as best as possible. I'm not involved in that and I don't care. We have to rely on the people there. Everyone knows they did a mistake and Liverpool suffered a big consequence of that cause in these games is super important."

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The PGMOL, the organisation in charge of the Premier League's match officials, released audio of the incident on Tuesday and gave fans an insight into exactly what happened when VAR was deciding whether or not to disallow Luis Diaz's first-half strike.

Liverpool's disallowed goal against Tottenham has sparked a huge debate over VAR (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)

Have your say! What VAR changes should be made? Join the debate in the comments section.

But the debate over VAR's future in English football will rage on, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher describing the situation as a "crisis point." Carragher declared on Monday Night Football: "It's not just this decision it's on the back of other incidents this season, like the Wolves one with Manchester United.

"I don't want to pile into the officials or [PGMOL chief] Howard Webb, they must feel awful. I'm not into the conspiracy theories - no one gains anything from this. We've all made mistakes. But this is a horrendous mistake, unprecedented, you can't quite believe the explanation that has been given."

Nathan Ridley