Premier League: Guardiola Claims VAR Decisions are Purely Coincidental

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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.

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According to 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.

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Guardiola said his side had also suffered from questionable decisions in recent seasons, pointing to City’s defeats in the 2024 and 2025 FA Cup Final.

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“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.”

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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.

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Guardiola also revisited the previous year’s final defeat to Manchester United, claiming City should have been awarded two penalties during the match.

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Despite his criticism of officiating, Guardiola stressed that players must focus on performances rather than decisions beyond their control.

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“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 said.

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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.

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