Pep Guardiola Calls VAR ‘Flip Of Coin’ Amid Fresh Premier League Controversy

Pep Guardiola has said Premier League clubs cannot depend on VAR to deliver consistent decisions, describing the technology as “a flip of a coin” following renewed debate over officiating standards.

According to BBC Sport, the Manchester City manager spoke after a contentious VAR review in the title race involving West Ham United and Arsenal.

Guardiola insisted City have endured their own share of controversial calls in recent years, highlighting defeats in the FA Cup finals of 2024 and 2025.

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

He pointed to last season’s final defeat to Crystal Palace, when goalkeeper Dean Henderson avoided a red card despite handling outside the penalty area before later saving a spot kick as Palace secured victory.

Guardiola also revisited the previous year’s loss to Manchester United, arguing that City should have been awarded two penalties during the match.

Despite his frustration, the Spaniard urged his players to focus on what they can control.

“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.

City remain firmly in the Premier League title race and will face Palace in a crucial league fixture at 8 p.m. later today, May 13, before meeting Chelsea in this season’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.