Julius OkorieManchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has taken a swipe at the FA Cup ball manufactured by Mitre Sports, describing it as “difficult to control.”
Manchester City earned a 3-1 win over Championship side, Plymouth Argyle, in their FA Cup clash on Sunday, but Pep insists that the ball made genuine efforts go in vain, as well taken shots flew wide, adding that it is not fit for the purpose.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelTeenager, Nico O’Reilly, spared Guardiola and City’s blushes with a brace but it was the ball, manufactured by Mitre Sports, that was forefront of Guardiola’s mind after the 3-1 win.
Despite zooming into FA Cup quarterfinal as a result of the victory, City saw a number of efforts – 10 in total – fly over the bar or wide of the target with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rico Lewis among those struggling to keep it under control.
‘Normally the ball goes inside from these shots. It’s difficult to control it,’ Guardiola said.
‘Many years, many players and managers say about that. When you lose it [sounds like] you’re complaining but the ball is not right. I’m sorry.
‘In many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, I know it’s a business and they come to agreements.’
Pressed on whether he has personally lobbied for the ball to be changed, Guardiola added: ‘I’ve said it for many years.
Guardiola, whose side failed to make it to the last 16 play-offs of the Champions League, nonetheless gave pass mark to the ball used for Champions league and the Premier league but scored the FA Cup low.
“I would not say it because I don’t want to be punished but it’s the truth. The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League ball is exceptional, but this one is not good.’
Mitre manufacturers of the ball, however defended their product,describing the ball as ‘featuring Hyperflow debossed grooves across the ball, for incredible flight consistency across all speeds.’
They also add that the ball is FIFA quality approved and teams using it can ‘play like the best in the game with unbeatable quality’. Mitre did not respond last night to a request for comment.
READ ALSO:Champions League Flop: Guardiola Accepts defeat, Hails Madrid
Guardiola’s gripes follow on from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who took aim at the Puma ball used in the Carabao Cup following semi-final defeat to Newcastle in January.
Arteta even suggested the ball could have contributed to their defeat because it is different to the Nike balls used in the Premier League.
If there is one thing that Guardiola is happy about, it is possible return of Rodri to premier league action before the season runs out.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has been sidelined since picking up an ACL injury in the draw to Arsenal back in September and he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the season and likely Club World Cup over the summer.
But Guardiola is becoming increasingly optimistic that his main man in midfield may make a recovery far quicker than City staff imagined.
‘The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited,’ Guardiola added.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
