Pep Guardiola Furious at VAR for Semenyo's Goal That Was Nullified

Pep Guardiola was angry about Antoine Semenyo's goal that was disallowed (Instagram/@mancity).

JAKARTA - Pep Guardiola said he expects an explanation from the Head of the English Professional Match Officials Board (Professional Game Match Officials Board), Howard Webb, about Antoine Semenyo's goal that was disallowed in Manchester City's victory over Newcastle United on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, early morning WIB.

The Citizens took a big step towards the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 win over the reigning champions at St James' Park in the first leg of the semi-final.

However, despite the result, Guardiola was frustrated with the VAR review which lasted almost six minutes before eventually cancelling out Semenyo's goal.

Guardiola said he was very upset considering he had a bad experience with VAR when playing against Newcastle United.

In November 2025, VAR did not award a penalty to Phil Foden after a late tackle from Fabian Schar in a 1-2 defeat at St James' Park.

The Match Incident Panel then decided that it was a mistake not to give a penalty to Foden.

"I'll say it now, I want to know why VAR in the English League match against Newcastle when we lost 1-2? It was a penalty because of Schar's offense against Phil Foden and it wasn't even considered."

"Today four people cannot decide because of the line. I don't know, but the second goal scored (Semenyo), the line is perfect."

"I didn't suspect anything about it for 10 years. I didn't say anything when we lost 1-2 here (St James' Park)."

"I'm pretty sure Howard Webb will come to give an explanation about that," said Guardiola.

Guardiola also alluded to the incident in the FA Cup final in May 2025 against Crystal Palace, when goalkeeper Dean Henderson appeared to push the ball away from Erling Haaland with his hand outside the penalty area.

"I didn't say anything in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace when (supposedly) Henderson got a red card after 30 minutes."

"Did I say something? No. It's okay. It's okay. In 10 years when we lost in the semi-finals of a big tournament, I didn't say anything."

"On the sidelines, sometimes (say something). However, here (press conference) there is nothing," he said.

Apart from that, the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final will take place on February 4, 2026 at the Etihad Stadium. The winner will face Chelsea or Arsenal in the final.