PEP Guardiola called for someone to explain “what is going on” with VAR after Manchester City were controversially denied a penalty in their 5-2 win over Saints.
Pep Guardiola said: “There are things that are hard to understand. So maybe one day they can explain the rules about the VAR. Hopefully one day they can explain what is going on. Jon, the referee, okay he cannot see it, the linesman cannot see it, (but if) the VAR cannot see it – Oh my God. You just want it to be more clear, and the right decisions. We won 5-2 but if we’d lost 5-2 I don’t make any comment. After you win you can do it, if not it looks like an excuse.”
It is understood that, in making his decision, Moss will have thought that McCarthy got a slight touch on the ball and VAR did not see conclusive proof that he did not. Cynics might suggest that had Foden not quickly got back to his feet he may well have been awarded the spot-kick. That certainly appeared to be the view of Leicester midfielder James Maddison, who was presumably watching the game on TV.
James Maddison tweeted: “Being honest and getting straight back up to try and score like Phil did is punished… because if he stayed down after initial contact and rolled around and screamed, I’m almost certain he would have been awarded penalty. So where’s the incentive to stay on your feet?”