Throughout many of his media briefings Pep Guardiola has repeatedly spoken about the difficult job referees face.
The Manchester City manager often reminds journalists that officials operate under intense pressure and he rarely blames them when results go against his side. In general, the Catalan has stayed true to that approach.
However, the opening weeks of 2026 have tested that patience. A series of contentious calls in both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup have left Guardiola visibly irritated, and his squad have begun to voice the same frustration.
Rodri’s explosive reaction after the draw with Tottenham became the clearest sign yet that City feel hard done by.
With tensions rising, these are the five incidents that have most angered Guardiola and his players during recent matches.
Solanke’s goal controversies during Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester City – February 1, 2026
The clash in north London produced the latest and perhaps most controversial moment. City believed they should have been awarded a foul when Dominic Solanke challenged Marc Guehi before scoring Tottenham’s first goal.
Instead, the strike was allowed to stand and it triggered a Spurs comeback.
That decision prompted Rodri to launch a fierce public criticism of the officials. Guardiola chose his words more carefully but it was clear he shared the same disbelief.
“If a central defender does that to a striker, it’s a penalty, right?” Guardiola asked the journalists in his post-match press conference.
The manager’s expression said as much as his words. For City, the incident symbolised a pattern of rulings that have gone against them and left them questioning the consistency of refereeing standards.
Mosquera’s handball incident during Manchester City 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers – January 24, 2026
City were comfortable winners against Wolves but another flashpoint arrived midway through the contest. Defender Yerson Mosquera appeared to block the ball with his arm as Omar Marmoush attempted to lift it past him inside the penalty area.
Video assistant referee Darren England advised on-field official Farai Hallam to review the situation on the pitchside monitor.
After watching several replays, Hallam stuck with his original call and refused to award a penalty.
The decision infuriated Guardiola, who confronted the referee after the final whistle.
Hallam was taking charge of his first Premier League match and the City boss made little attempt to hide his dissatisfaction, gesturing angrily before being led away by members of his coaching staff.
Dalot escaped red card during Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City – January 17, 2026
The Manchester derby brought another moment that City believe altered the course of a game. Early in the match Diogo Dalot lunged at Jeremy Doku with his studs raised, catching the winger on the ankle. Referee Anthony Taylor produced only a yellow card.
Later explanations from referees’ chief Howard Webb stated that the challenge did not involve excessive force and was therefore a matter of opinion rather than a clear error. VAR chose not to intervene.
Guardiola strongly disagreed with that interpretation.
“He should be sent off, it’s a red card since the game. But it will be poor as a manager, I’ve never been that, if you analyse that, to win or lose a game,” Guardiola argued post-match.
“It’s a red card – definitely. But that will not make us grow up.”
City went on to lose the match and many supporters remain convinced the outcome could have been different had United been reduced to ten men.
Semenyo goal ruled out during Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City – January 13, 2026
A week earlier at St James’ Park, City experienced a lengthy VAR check that ended in frustration.
Antoine Semenyo thought he had doubled the lead with a clever flick, only for officials to judge that Erling Haaland was offside and interfering with goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Television pictures confirmed Haaland was beyond the last defender, yet debate centred on whether he actually affected Pope’s ability to save the shot.
The review lasted almost five minutes before referee Chris Kavanagh was asked to study the monitor himself.
As he walked from the field, Semenyo spoke directly into the broadcast camera: “Second goal should have counted by the way, just saying.”
Guardiola was far more outspoken: “Four officials and VAR were not able to take the decision, they had to go to the referee,” he said.
“Today, the line was perfect. Millimetres. I don’t understand. We know how it works and that will make us stronger. I’ve said it many times to the team, it is always about that. It’s in that situation how we react and how we compete.
“Ask them. Who is the boss of the referees? Ask him [Howard Webb]. It’s the semi-finals. We play for a lot to reach the finals. It will make us stronger.”
City eventually secured victory but the sense of injustice lingered, particularly with a second leg still to come.
Doku penalty appeal during Manchester City 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion – January 7, 2026
The first major dispute of the year arrived against Brighton. Doku was brought down in the area yet play continued, leaving Guardiola furious on the touchline. Only after VAR intervention was the referee instructed to award the spot kick.
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Before that reversal the City manager had already been cautioned for his protests, a booking that later resulted in a touchline ban for the FA Cup meeting with Exeter.
Explaining what happened, Guardiola said: “I was complaining why it wasn’t a penalty. And after it was – I was right. It was a penalty. I don’t know how the referee didn’t whistle and VAR had to do it. It’s an easy job for the referees now.”
The sequence of incidents has created an unusual atmosphere around the Cityzens.
Guardiola continues to insist he respects officials and understands the complexity of modern refereeing, yet even he admits the recent run has been difficult to accept.
With crucial fixtures still ahead, City hope future decisions will be clearer — and that the talking points will return to football rather than the men with whistles.
