Lewis red card 'unnecessary' - Guardiola

In a controversial incident during Manchester City's Fifa Club World Cup opener, manager Pep Guardiola has publicly defended 20-year-old defender Rico Lewis after he received a red card in the 88th minute of their match against Wydad Casablanca. The dismissal occurred following a challenge where Lewis, while attempting to win the ball, inadvertently caught Wydad's Samuel Obeng in the face with his boot. Despite Lewis’s protests and his claim of having played the ball fairly, the video assistant referee (VAR) upheld the decision made by Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti, leading to Lewis being suspended for City's upcoming match against Al Ain. Guardiola expressed his frustration with the officiating, arguing that the red card was unwarranted and that Lewis had no malicious intent in his actions on the field.

Guardiola emphasized that Lewis’s challenge was executed with the intention of winning the ball and that the speed of the game contributed to the unfortunate outcome. He pointed out that Lewis was on the ground and had touched the ball, which he believed should have been taken into account by the referee. Guardiola's comments reflect a broader concern about officiating decisions in high-stakes matches, particularly those involving young players like Lewis, who are still developing their skills in professional football. Despite the red card controversy, City secured a 2-0 victory over Wydad, with goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku, putting them in a strong position in Group G of the tournament, which also includes Juventus and Al Ain.