Pep Guardiola Under Probe by FA For Manchester Derby Referee Remarks

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is under probe from the Football Association (FA) regarding his comments about the match referee Anthony Taylor prior to their Manchester derby glory, several British outlets reported.

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is under probe from the Football Association (FA) regarding his comments about the match referee Anthony Taylor prior to their Manchester derby glory, several British outlets reported.

Although the Spaniard did not say anything controversial about the official, they FA are very vigilant in their scrutiny of any comments made by club managers and have made the same clear on several occasions.

According to AFP, Taylor, hails from the Manchester suburb of Wythenshawe, near Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground.

That led some City fans to question his impartiality ahead of Sunday’s match at the Etihad Stadium.

“He is going to try to do the best job as we try as managers and football players,” said Guardiola when asked about the referee at his pre-match press conference.

“Mr Taylor is going to try to make a good time. I don’t think too much. The important thing is to focus on our game, of course knowing which opponent we are going to face, and that’s all.

“Hopefully they can make good decisions for both sides and (it will) be a good game — all England, all parts of Europe are going to watch us, that is the most important pleasure.

“The referee doesn’t want to make a mistake but he knows everybody around the world is going to watch him. He doesn’t want to make mistakes, that is pretty sure.

“But if he is a fan of United or City? Anybody can be a fan of whoever he wants. No problem.”

However, the derby concluded without any controversial decisions and the defending champions.

(AFP Inputs)