Home
Pep Guardiola’s post-match fury overshadowed Manchester City’s tense 2-2 draw with Brighton, as the Catalan coach launched a scathing critique of referee Simon Hooper. The flashpoint? A reckless challenge on Jeremy Doku that left Guardiola fuming over what he called a potential “leg-breaking” tackle. While City’s Champions League hopes hang in the balance after dropping points, the bigger story was Doku’s miraculous escape—and the controversial yellow card that followed.
For Guardiola, it wasn’t just about the result; it was about justice. Here’s why this incident has reignited debates over player safety and officiating consistency.
Pep Guardiola’s explosive defense of Doku
The Etihad Stadium erupted in disbelief in the 67th minute when Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke lunged into a tackle that sent Doku airborne. The Belgian winger’s evasive leap saved him from a gruesome injury but earned him a baffling yellow card for simulation—a decision Guardiola labeled “outrageous.”
“If he doesn’t jump, he could break his leg,” Pep Guardiola seethed post-match. “Jeremy is not a diving player. They should know, but it is what it is.”
The City boss doubled down, emphasizing that Doku’s instinctual jump was self-preservation, not gamesmanship.
Referee Simon Hooper, no stranger to City’s wrath, drew fresh criticism. Last season, his botched advantage call in a 3-3 Spurs draw left even PGMOL chief Howard Webb admitting error. This time, Hooper’s verdict left Guardiola incredulous:
“I said to the referee: ‘If he doesn’t jump, he’d have been kicked hard.’ It doesn’t matter—don’t ask me about that.”
Why this incident matters:
Player Safety at Risk: Van Hecke’s challenge highlights the fine line between competitive play and endangerment. Pep Guardiola’s outrage underscores growing concerns over tackle recklessness.
Officiating Under Fire: Hooper’s contentious call fuels debates about VAR’s role in adjudicating simulation vs. evasion.
City’s European Dreams: Dropped points leave City clinging to fourth, but Guardiola remains defiant: “Of course, I have confidence [in Champions League qualification].”
Beyond the drama, Guardiola struck an oddly optimistic tone. “The players gave everything—we take the point and keep going,” he said, praising his squad’s resilience. Yet the incident raises questions: Should players like Doku be penalized for avoiding injury? And when will officials balance protocol with context?
For City, the road to Europe remains rocky. But for Pep Guardiola, protecting his players—and calling out perceived injustices—is non-negotiable. As he put it: “It was a good game… but we keep going.” Translation: This fight is far from over.
