Pep Guardiola says Man City has been unfairly penalized in a rant against Premier League referees

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Premier League officials are treating his players unfairly.

Pep Guardiola has slammed match referees for applying double standards when it comes to time-wasting, claiming that his Manchester City team has been unfairly penalized this season. The City manager addressed the matter before of the arrival of one of the Premier League’s worst offenders, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.

Guardiola’s dissatisfaction stemmed from unfair treatment of his own team, rather than his requesting that today’s referee keep a tight eye on the Magpies. Erik ten Hag, Jurgen Klopp, and Mikel Arteta have all accused Newcastle of wasting time this season, with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claiming it was a premeditated strategy to “annoy” opponents.

Guardiola believes his team, which he claims wants to keep the ball in play more than any other Premier League team, has been wrongly penalized on multiple occasions. Guardiola believes Ederson’s booking at the Emirates, Erling Haaland’s booking against Everton on New Year’s Eve, and Rico Lewis’ booking against Leeds earlier in December were all harsh.

And the first of the three, for wasting time, irritated him the most. “If it’s a waste of time, we’ll have a yellow card for Ederson, don’t worry,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.

“We are the team with the least waste of time in the career and the first time we travel to Arsenal away after 35, 37 minutes we received a yellow card so don’t worry about wasting time. That is up to the referee, but I believe the yellow card will go to Ederson.

“How many thousand million games do teams come to Etihad stadium and waste time for the keepers? 20 seconds every time, the goal kick and long ball and long ball and long ball nothing happens. Absolutely nothing happens. And after we go there, we want to be active to play and we get a yellow card.”

Guardiola’s complaints are about unjustified cautions rather than overall numbers, as his team, along with West Ham, has received the fewest yellow cards this season. And he reaffirmed this afternoon that he trusts the officials at the Etihad to keep a careful eye on Newcastle’s behavior whether they are defending a point or a lead.

City will try to put the boot into a bruised Newcastle just six days after losing to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. Guardiola also claims that the 3-3 draw at St James’ Park earlier this season taught him a lesson.

“We didn’t find space in that game and the way they press caused us to suffer problems in some moments,” he said. “They have been incredible.

“What happened last season and this season is a step forward and they are here to stay. They will be one of the toughest opponents we have between now and the end of the season. They are one of the best teams and that is why they are there.”