Guardiola Admits He Has Never Trusted Referees or VAR, Citing Man City FA Cup Final Defeats in 2024 and 2025

Pep Guardiola has gone on record to say he has never placed faith in referees or the Video Assistant Referee system since it was introduced in English football — a candid admission that arrives amid renewed scrutiny of officiating standards in the Premier League.

The Manchester City manager’s remarks were prompted by a contentious late decision in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over West Ham, in which Callum Wilson’s apparent equaliser was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review determined he had fouled goalkeeper David Raya. The ruling proved deeply divisive, drawing reactions from across the football community, including former Manchester United players who publicly backed the decision.

“I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago,” Guardiola said. “Always I 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.”

Guardiola drew directly on Manchester City’s own recent experiences with officiating to underline his frustration, pointing to FA Cup final defeats in both 2024 and 2025. “We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs as they should have, even the VAR,” he said.

The 2025 FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace was one example he cited specifically. In that match, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved a penalty but was not dismissed despite appearing to handle the ball outside his area — a decision that remained a talking point long after the final whistle. Guardiola also referenced residual grievances from City’s defeat to Manchester United in the 2024 final, though he stopped short of detailing specific incidents from that game.

Despite voicing clear frustration, Guardiola was careful to redirect responsibility back to his own squad. “When this happens, it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR,” he added, maintaining that self-improvement, rather than external blame, remains the standard he expects from his players.

VAR has been a recurring flashpoint in English football since its Premier League introduction ahead of the 2019-20 season. Debate over its application has intensified in recent campaigns, with clubs, managers, and supporters regularly questioning the consistency of its interventions. The Arsenal versus West Ham ruling represents the latest episode in an ongoing conversation about whether the technology has delivered the clarity it was designed to provide.

For Manchester City, the broader context is significant. The club has endured a turbulent period on the pitch, and Guardiola’s public comments on officiating are relatively rare in their directness — making this latest statement notable for its candour. With the Premier League season approaching its final stages, the implications of disputed decisions on the title race and European qualification picture remain a live concern for multiple clubs.