Guardiola Speaks on EPL: VAR is a ‘flip of a coin’

Man City coach Pep Guardiola has described video assistant referee decisions as “a flip of a coin,” insisting that teams in the Premier League cannot rely on VAR to deliver consistent outcomes. based on BBC Sport on Wednesday, the Spaniard made the remarks amid renewed debate over officiating standards following a controversial VAR review in the title race involving West Ham United and Arsenal.

Guardiola showed his side had also suffered from questionable decisions in recent seasons, pointing to City’s defeats in the 2024 and 2025 FA Cup Final. “I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. I always learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.

” In last year’s final against Crystal Palace, City were frustrated after goalkeeper Dean Henderson avoided a red card despite handling the ball outside the penalty area. Henderson later saved a penalty as Palace secured victory. Guardiola also revisited the previous year’s final defeat to Manchester United, claiming City should have been awarded two penalties during the match.

Despite his criticism of officiating, Guardiola stressed that players must focus on performances rather than decisions beyond their control. “When this happens it is because we have to do better. “The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control,” Guardiola indicated. City remain in the hunt for the league title and face Palace in a crucial Premier League fixture before taking on Chelsea in this season’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.