In the latest episode of football's ongoing debate over officiating, Manchester City's manager has called for more transparency and open debate regarding controversial decisions.
City's head coach, Pep Guardiola, believes that there is too much secrecy surrounding refereeing decisions and that this leads to a lack of accountability and trust between players and fans. He argues that if officials were more transparent about their reasoning behind certain calls, it would help to build a stronger connection with the public.
Guardiola's comments come after a number of high-profile incidents in recent weeks where controversial decisions have been made by referees. In one case, for example, City's star player Kevin De Bruyne was sent off during a match against Arsenal. The decision was met with widespread criticism from both fans and critics alike, and Guardiola has now called for greater accountability from referees.
"Referees should be held accountable for their decisions," he said. "If they make mistakes, they should be held responsible for them. It's not enough just to say 'it's a difficult decision' or 'we're going to appeal.' We need to know why the decision was made."
Guardiola's call for more transparency and open debate on refereeing decisions is sure to spark further discussion and debate within the football community. While some may argue that it could lead to a watering down of the game's integrity, others will see it as a positive step towards building a closer relationship between players and fans. Regardless of the outcome, it's clear that there is still plenty of work to be done when it comes to improving officiating in the sport.