Controversial Dismissal Mars Comfortable Win as Pep Clashes with Referee’s Decision
Pep Guardiola was left seething after Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca in their Club World Cup opener, with the Spaniard insisting young defender Rico Lewis was wrongly sent off for a high challenge.
The incident, which divided fans and pundits alike, saw Lewis win the ball cleanly before his follow-through caught Wydad’s Samuel Obeng in the head. While referee Ramon Abatti immediately brandished a red, Guardiola argued passionately after the match that his player’s foot was “on the grass” and the contact was unintentional.
Pep’s Fury
“He got the ball, both feet on the grass!” Guardiola fumed. “The referee said his leg was high—but it wasn’t! It’s a natural follow-through. No intent. But it doesn’t matter now—the decision is made.”
Split Opinions
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel disagreed, telling Channel 5: “It was the right call. His foot was too high, and the follow-through was dangerous.” Fans online were equally divided, with some calling it harsh while others backed the referee’s strict interpretation.
Silver Linings for City
Despite the frustration, there were positives for the Premier League champions:
- Rodri’s return from injury off the bench
- New signings Reijnders & Cherki impressing in their first starts
- A solid defensive display despite playing most of the second half with 10 men
Guardiola praised his squad’s adaptability, saying: “Reijnders was excellent, Cherki showed his quality in moments. Rodri’s return is huge—we’ll need him. This was just the first step.”
With Lewis now suspended, City must regroup quickly—but Guardiola’s annoyance at the officiating suggests this debate is far from over.
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