Manchester City was left frustrated after their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, with Rico Lewis’ red card playing a pivotal role. That wasn’t the plan for City in vs Palace. Now, despite his protests, Pep Guardiola remained cryptic when addressing the controversial decision.
THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION:
Rico Lewis was sent off in the penalty area after already being booked earlier in the game. His challenge on Trevoh Chalobah was judged as a foul by referee Rob Jones, who deemed the contact sufficient to warrant a second yellow card and a red card for the 20-year-old defender.
What makes the decision all the more puzzling is that the challenge appeared minimal, leading many fans to question whether it was truly a foul. Surprisingly, VAR chose not to intervene, upholding the on-field referee’s decision.
One fan summed it up best with a post-match sentiment:
“This is the tackle that got Rico Lewis sent off, what an absolute joke.”
GUARDIOLA’S RESPONSE:
After the final whistle, Pep Guardiola was visibly upset, passionately disputing the decision with Rob Jones. When asked about the red card, the City boss gave a response that left many scratching their heads.
“Was there a second yellow card? I didn’t see it,” Guardiola began, adding ambiguity to his feelings.
The exchange went on to highlight his frustration:
“It’s because it’s Rico.”
When asked for clarification, he repeated:
“It’s because it’s Rico.”
The back-and-forth continued, with Guardiola’s cryptic remarks leading many to speculate about whether the decision was unfairly harsh, given Lewis’ young age and reputation.
This moment sparked debate on social media and among fans, with one reaction reading:
“RED CARD ROBBERY! Rico Lewis gets sent off for THIS?!”
QUOTES:
Pep Guardiola discussing Rico Lewis’ red card:
Pep: “It’s because it’s Rico.”
“Sorry?”
Pep: “It’s Rico.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t understand you…”
Pep: “It’s because it’s Rico.”
“It’s because it’s Rico Lewis, you think he got the yellow card?”
Pep: “It’s a yellow card?”
“No, I’m asking you; did you think it was a yellow card?”
Pep: “It’s Rico Lewis.”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CITY?
Rico Lewis’ dismissal meant that Manchester City could not secure all three points against Crystal Palace despite having come from behind twice in the match. This draw keeps City in the Champions League spots as they prepare for an important run of fixtures.
Next up for Pep Guardiola’s men? A Champions League clash against Juventus and a high-stakes Manchester derby against United at the weekend.
THE BIGGER PICTURE:
This moment of controversy is just another example of the fine margins in football. While Lewis’ red card will undoubtedly be debated in the coming days, Manchester City must focus on their next challenges to maintain their position in both domestic and European competitions.
With a mix of frustration and momentum, City’s next matches could prove pivotal.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS:
Was it a fair red card, or did the referee get it wrong? Let us know what you think about this decision and whether you agree with Guardiola’s cryptic response.
