Referee who Pep Guardiola got ‘physical' with hits back at Man City boss in 'small man’ rant

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Former Premier League referee Graham Scott has criticised Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola 's behaviour towards match officials. Despite City's 2-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday, Guardiola was left fuming after referee Farai Hallam refused to award his team a penalty.

The official reviewed the incident on the VAR monitor but maintained his original decision. Following the match, Guardiola commented : "Yesterday I said I had the feeling that not having the players for the last two seasons is the only regret I have.

"I would love to have the players to fight against that. We won despite them. We did six Premier Leagues in nine years so why do I not have the players.

"The referee made a huge debut, now everybody will know him... I think it's the first time they go to the TV and disallowed what is a 'normal' position of the arms?"

Writing in the Telegraph , Scott revealed that Guardiola was 'physical' with him whilst serving as fourth official during Manchester City's clash with Brighton in May 2021. He has also highlighted Guardiola's "antics", particularly his confrontation with referee Hallam at full-time following this weekend's victory.

"Guardiola's decision – and be in no doubt that everything he does is for a purpose – to berate Hallam on the pitch at the final whistle made a great manager look a small man," he wrote.

"It seems he cannot always be gracious, even in victory.

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"I am glad that his antics appear to have backfired, with almost every observer taking the referee's side for once. Hallam emerged as the adult in the room and will take the field for his second Premier League match with an even greater sense of self-assurance."

In his debut Premier League match, the referee chose not to award Manchester City a penalty for handball, despite VAR Darren England directing him to review the incident on the screen. That prompted the anger from Guardiola/

Scott also urged the Premier League to revise their regulations. "The Premier League should also take action, starting by stopping managers entering the pitch after the match if they cannot be trusted to behave," he added.

"Guardiola is not the only manager to use the period after the match to confront officials and opponents, presumably in the hope that such performative pantomime will reap benefits in future matches.

"Instead, they should only shake hands with their opposite number, walk down the tunnel and compose themselves before meeting the media."