Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sparked fresh controversy by openly criticizing the FA Cup match ball following his team’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle. His remarks come just weeks after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made similar complaints about the EFL Cup ball, igniting a debate over the quality of footballs used in England’s domestic competitions.
Guardiola Unhappy Despite City’s FA Cup Win
Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals after overcoming Championship side Plymouth, setting up a clash with Bournemouth in the next round. However, Guardiola was far from satisfied with his team’s performance in front of goal, as they registered an unusually high 20 shots off target.
Speaking after the match, the City boss did not hold back his criticism.
“The ball in the Champions League is exceptional, the ball in the Premier League is exceptional, but this one isn’t. It’s difficult to control. When you lose, it sounds like you’re complaining, but the ball is not right. This has been happening in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup for many years. I know it’s a business and they come to agreements, but you know how many shots went over? Look at other games. Normally, the ball goes inside from these shots,” Guardiola told the BBC.
His remarks mirror those made by Arteta earlier this season, when the Arsenal manager criticized the quality of the EFL Cup ball after his team’s elimination from the competition. Both managers believe that inconsistencies in ball quality across competitions are affecting performances.
Different Competitions, Different Balls
Each of England’s major competitions uses balls from different manufacturers:
- Premier League – Nike
- Champions League – Adidas
- EFL Cup – Kipsta
- FA Cup – Mitre
Guardiola’s frustration stems from what he perceives as a lack of consistency in ball quality across these competitions. He believes that switching between different manufacturers disrupts player performance and makes it difficult for teams to maintain their rhythm.
However, the Football Association (FA) was quick to respond to Guardiola’s claims. A spokesperson from the FA defended the Mitre ball used in the FA Cup, stating:
“All footballs in the professional game are required to meet FIFA Quality Pro accreditation, and this ball delivers against all of the testing requirements. Alongside Mitre, we understand that preference is subjective, but we’re confident that the ball performs well. With over 350 goals scored in the knockout competition so far, it provides an exciting element to such a competitive tournament.”
Are Other Clubs Complaining?
While Guardiola and Arteta have voiced their frustrations, other clubs have not been as vocal about any issues with the FA Cup ball. In fact, several Premier League teams performed well in their FA Cup fixtures, with some even recording higher shot accuracy than in their recent league matches.
Teams such as Newcastle, Wolves, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace all had better shot accuracy in their FA Cup matches compared to their previous Premier League outings. This raises the question: is the FA Cup ball really a problem, or did Manchester City just have an off night in front of goal?
Guardiola’s History of Complaints About Ball Quality
This is not the first time Guardiola has raised concerns about the quality of match balls in domestic cup competitions. Back in 2017, he made similar comments after Manchester City eliminated Wolves on penalties in the EFL Cup following a goalless draw.
At the time, he stated:
“That ball is not a serious ball for a professional game. It’s too light, moves all over the place, and is not good for a high-level competition.”
His latest remarks suggest that he still holds concerns over the quality of footballs used in English cup competitions.
FA Cup Round 5 Results
The FA Cup fifth round produced some thrilling encounters, with extra-time drama and penalty shootouts making for an exciting round of fixtures. Here’s how the key matches unfolded:
Friday
- Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City
- Goals: Asensio (68′, 80′)
Saturday
- Crystal Palace 3-1 Millwall
- Goals: Tanganga (OG 33’), Munoz (40’), Nketiah (81’) – Harding (45+13’)
- Preston 3-0 Burnley
- Goals: Brady (31’), Osmajic (44’), Keane (73’)
- Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (Bournemouth won on penalties)
- Goals: Evanilson (30’) – Cunha (60’)
- Manchester City 3-1 Plymouth
- Goals: O’Reilly (45+1’, 76’), De Bruyne (90’) – Talovierov (38’)
Sunday
- Newcastle 1-2 Brighton (AET)
- Goals: Isak (22’ pen) – Minteh (44’), Welbeck (114’)
- Manchester United 1-1 Fulham (Fulham won on penalties)
- Goals: Fernandes (71’) – Bassey (45+1’)
The #EmiratesFACup quarter-final draw is complete
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025
- Goals: Fernandes (71’) – Bassey (45+1’)
Looking Ahead: Can Manchester City Continue Their FA Cup Run?
Despite Guardiola’s frustration over the match ball, Manchester City will now shift their focus to their quarter-final clash with Bournemouth. City will go into the match as favorites, but with the unpredictability of cup football, they cannot afford to be complacent.
Guardiola’s team has been dominant in the FA Cup in recent years, but if they want to secure another trophy, they may need to adapt to the differences in ball quality rather than letting it disrupt their performances.
For now, the debate over FA Cup ball quality continues, with Guardiola’s remarks reigniting a discussion that could see further scrutiny on equipment used in English domestic competitions. Whether changes will be made remains to be seen, but what is certain is that Manchester City will need to be sharper in front of goal if they hope to lift the FA Cup trophy at Wembley.
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