Nottingham Forest v Man City: Guardiola does not ‘waste time’ on referees amid Attwell row

Share This Post

Pep Guardiola says he does not “waste time” thinking about the identity of referees, following controversial statements made by Manchester City’s upcoming opponents Nottingham Forest.

Guardiola’s men travel to the City Ground this Sunday for a game which could have huge repercussions at both ends of the Premier League table.

It will be Forest’s first game since they issued a series of statements about official Stuart Attwell, who was the VAR when they saw three penalty appeals rejected in last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Everton.

Read our other football news stories here:
Aston Villa: Champions League now the stated aim, says Emery
Chelsea recover Palmer for Aston Villa trip but James and Colwill out
Klopp impressed by Slot as Liverpool continue talks with Feyenoord boss

After that game, Forest’s club account posted to X: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.

“We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”

The Premier League and the Football Association are both investigating Forest’s claims about Attwell, which they refused to row back from in the following days.

In another statement issued on Monday, Forest said the PGMOL’s rules on appointing officials should be changed to prevent those with ties to clubs with “contextual rivalries in the league table” – such as Luton Town’s battle for survival with Forest – from overseeing their rivals’ games.

Guardiola was asked about the controversy ahead of Sunday’s game, and he said he does not even bother to check who is refereeing City’s matches.

“I go to the game and I never ever know who is the referee,” he said. “When I see their face, it’s ‘oh, I remember that face’.

“I never in my life talked about the referees before, during or after [games], never ever, ever.

“A mistake can be a mistake and we are sad, and when it’s in our favour we are lucky. But I don’t waste my time.

“I have to economise, I have to choose exactly what I have to do with my time. I don’t spend one second thinking about referees, especially when we lose.”

Simon Hooper will take charge of Sunday’s game with Peter Bankes and Gary Beswick on VAR duty, with Attwell the man in the middle for Fulham’s clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Harry Carr
Harry Carr
Harry is a freelance sports journalist with experience of working for the Racing Post, Stats Perform, Opta Analyst and more, covering major events across all sports but holding a particular love for the beautiful game.

Related Posts

Steve Bruce: Blackpool ask ex-Newcastle boss to build ‘entertaining side’

Blackpool owner Simon Sadler has said Steve Bruce's "desire...

Toney to earn equivalent of £1m a week after securing Saudi switch

Ivan Toney is set to earn the equivalent of...

Scotland’s focused on qualifying for 2026 World Cup – McGinn

Scotland midfielder John McGinn has his heart set on...

Chelsea extend Nicolas Jackson’s contract until 2033

Chelsea have handed striker Nicolas Jackson a two-year contract...

West Ham 1-3 Man City: Haaland hits Premier League hat-trick again

Erling Haaland's second hat-trick in seven days continued Manchester...

Hurzeler and Arteta offer differing opinions on Rice’s red card

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler and Arsenal head coach Mikel...
- Advertisement -spot_img