“Sometimes I have to defend my club” – Pep Guardiola defends Farai Hallam criticism after controversial Wolves decision | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stuck by his comments on referee Farai Hallam’s decision to not award his side a penalty against Wolves on Saturday.

Guardiola was outspoken in his verdict on Hallam – who made his Premier League officiating debut at the Etihad Stadium – sticking to his on-pitch decision of no penalty after Omar Marmoush’s cut-back in the box caught the outstretched arm of Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera.

City comfortably won the game, their first Premier League victory of 2026, as a first league goal of the campaign for Omar Marmoush and a third strike in sky blue for January signing Antoine Semenyo helped Guardiola and co to a much-needed triumph.

Arsenal’s subsequent defeat at home to Manchester United has handed Manchester City a fresh lifeline in the title race, though the Blues need to pick up some momentum themselves after making a sluggish start to 2026 by all accounts.

The next two weeks feature four monumental games for Manchester City on all fronts, starting with Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League as Guardiola’s men look to correct their wrong from the Arctic Circle last week and aim to finish in the top eight of the group-stage rankings.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Guardiola was asked whether he regrets any part of his post-Wolves verdict on referee Hallam, whose controversial decision have dominated headlines in recent days.

“They (the referees) defend each other, completely understandable,” said Guardiola. “They have to. But sometimes I have to defend my club. “How many times did I criticise referees last season, the worst season in 10 years? Never.

“After (defeat to Manchester) United, how were my comments about the referees? I was incredibly respectful in 10 years about referees, I never commented anything. When I do it, I have arguments to do it, that’s the only reason why.

“But I know they defend each other, pundits, everyone defends (the referees) – I understand completely. But I defend my players, I defend my club. Always my club, my people.

Quizzed specifically on his comments on Hallam, Guardiola added: “I’m so sorry, I apologise. If he felt offended, I’m so sorry. I know it’s not easy on his debut, and it’s happened. I know they are so sensitive everyone, I know that.”

City need to win on Wednesday night to prevent the risk of adding two play-off games to their jam-packed schedule, with the Blues vying for silverware on four fronts in the second half of the season.

After making five changes to his starting XI against Wolves, Guardiola is expected to recall Erling Haaland and Phil Foden to his lineup as he comes up against former Manchester City pair Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan in his side’s final UEFA Champions League group-stage fixture at the Etihad Stadium.