Controversial decision in the final
Guardiola on a pupil bankruptcy.
May 17, 2025 – 11:18 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The “Citizens” sensationally lose the final in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace. “Pep” is angry afterwards – because of a key scene in the game.
0: 1 in the final of the English Cup against Underdog Crystal Palace, for the first time since the 2016/17 season, a season completely without title-the final in the FA Cup offered plenty of frustration potential for Manchester City. Especially for coach Pep Guardiola.
Because after the game on Saturday evening, the Spaniard briefly lost his nerves, gestured towards Palace keeper Henderson, who wanted to give his hand after the final whistle. Leaned the hand shake with a gesture of index finger, but spoke a few words in the direction of the goalkeeper. Because in his opinion, he would have liked the square early in the game.
The 23rd minute in the Wembleystadion: City defender Joško Gvardiol sends his team-mate Erling Haaland with a long ball, Henderson runs out of his goal, the pusher Haaland. Henderson actually comes to the play equipment in front of the Norwegian, hits the ball away with his hand – but is just outside of his penalty area. Actually a clear red card. But the Var gives referee Stuart Atwell: no card, not even a warning. The explanation: Haaland’s direction of running was a possible but not a clear chance of scoring that Henderson prevented.
A decision that not only excited Guardiola: “How can you say that it wasn’t a clear chance of scoring?” Said former Palace striker Ian Wright on English television. “It’s absolutely ridiculous. It’s crazy.” Ex-international Joleon Lucott also agreed: “This is one of the worst decisions I have ever seen in football.” And Wayne Rooney said in the BBC: “This is a red card, and everyone could see that this was a red card.”
Irony of fate: Henderson became the decisive man in the further course of the game, held a penalty of the former Frankfurt Omar Marmoush ten minutes later, and was even elected “Man of the Match” after the game.
Guardiola, however, was apparently also angry about the supposedly constant time game of Henderson in the game. “I wanted to give his hand, but he was disappointed with the time game. But everything half as bad,” Henderson confirmed after the game on English television. Guardiola himself answered the question of what he said Henderson, just: “Nothing.”
For Henderson, the cup victory also meant a lot personally – he devoted the success to his father, who died at the beginning of the season. “He was with me today. He was with me with every touch of the ball. I dedicate this victory to him.”