Exclusive: FA consider action against Man City boss Pep Guardiola over ball remark
Keith Hackett believes that Man City boss Pep Guardiola has landed himself in hot water over his comments after an FA Cup win against Plymouth.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA exclusively told Football Insider the Spanish manager may impact a large sponsorship deal for The FA with his comments after his side beat Plymouth 3-1.
Maksym Talovierov opened the scoring for Argyle with a phenomenal header in the 38th minute, following a cross from Matthew Sorinola.
However, that lead would not last, as Nico O’Reilly scored in the 45th minute after a Kevin De Bruyne cross from a free kick.
De Bruyne may renew his Man City deal after weeks of speculation that this could be the Belgian’s final year with the club.
The English left-back would double his, and City‘s tally in the second-half, with Foden this time delivering from a set piece to the young defender.
Erling Haaland then provided an assist for De Bruyne in the closing stages as the Sky Blues shakily moved past the Championship side into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola set to be reprimanded by The FA for Mitre ball comments
After the win, Guardiola criticised the Mitre ball used in domestic cup competitions in England, saying: “The ball is not proper. I’m sorry. For many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. I know it’s a business and they come to agreements, but the ball is not (good)”.
The City manager is not the only Premier League boss to take issue with the Mitre ball, as Mikel Arteta was mocked for his complaints over the ball after losing to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
However, Arteta was backed by former player Ally McCoist, whp guaranteed there would be a notable difference between the balls used in the Premier League, and cup competitions.
When asked by Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, offered an in-depth review of the situation, and what sort of punishment the City manager can expect, by saying:
“The clubs are fully aware that The FA Cup competition takes place with the Mitre ball, not Nike, that is used in the Premier League.
“They have days leading up to playing in the FA Cup to practice with the appropriate ball.
“The comments made by top managers criticising the Mitre product impacts negatively on sales etc. and damages [their] reputation.
“The FA will receive large sums of sponsorship money and free product.
| 2024/25 FA Cup quarter final draw |
| Bournemouth vs Man City |
| Brighton vs Nottingham Forest/Ipswich Town |
| Fulham vs Crystal Palace |
| Preston North End vs Aston Villa |
“The FA will consider what action they can take, I would suggest that a strongly worded letter will be on its way to the manager.
“What is interesting is that the semi-automated system introduced this week does not operate with a chip in the ball.
“UEFA and FIFA have a semi-automated system that operates with an Adidas ball that does have a chip.”
“The Premier League have a long standing sponsorship deal with the Nike ball, The FA have a deal with Mitre, and UEFA/FIFA have for years had a deal with Adidas.
Pep Guardiola’s comments offer distraction from disappointing Man City
Following the win over Plymouth, City will face a strong Bournemouth side at the Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-final.
In previous years, the draw against the Cherries would have been seen as a comfortable stepping-stone on the Sky Blues’ path to an FA Cup victory.
However, following a dismal season, many will now have the South Coast sides as favourites for the tie, with Guardiola’s team having struggled against direct attacking teams this year.
In November, Bournemouth beat City thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson, and will fancy their chances again in March.