Ex-refs chief hits out as Pep Guardiola punished for Man City celebrations vs Arsenal
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Credit: Imago / Sport TV Mon 23 March 2026 16:00, UK Pep Guardiola didn’t deserve to be punished for celebrating Nico O’Reilly’s second goal in Manchester City‘s win over Arsenal.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Peter Bankes should have “ignored” the Man City boss on Sunday, 22 March, rather than cautioning him.O’Reilly completely stole the show at Wembley Stadium, taking advantage of a Kepa Arrizabalaga mistake to head home his first before stealing in at the back post to secure the trophy.Man City still need to face Arsenal in the all-but-decided Premier League title race, and Guardiola will be hoping for more joy when the two sides face off at the Etihad Stadium."We are not artificial intelligence people… I want to celebrate!" 🎉Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola held nothing back on the touchline at Wembley 🤣 pic.twitter.com/YzwiN4QEmE— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 22, 2026 View Tweet Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Man City Insider Access Get the full story from the Etihad Stadium and CFA with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the Etihad Campus. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Pep Guardiola booked for celebrating vs Man CityThe Man City boss went charging down the touchline after O’Reilly’s second goal, before returning to his technical area and being greeted with a yellow card from the referee.Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the celebrations, the former referee said: “The only time a manager should be punished is if the action is creating a crowd-surge forward, but there was none of that.
“He’s had the courage to put in a youngster, a Mancunian, who has delivered… Is there anything better in football? Yes, they get paid highly for it, but he’s a passionate man.
The match officials should have ignored it.” What did the Man City boss say about his own celebrations?Guardiola was more than happy to take his yellow card from Bankes, even suggesting that he would take a sending off if it meant being able to celebrate with the Man City fans.Speaking after the game, he said, “Afterwards, I got a yellow card. It’s okay, maybe even a red card, but I want to celebrate it.”He will remain suspended for the FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool on Saturday, 4 April, with Pep Lijnders already taking charge for Man City’s 1-1 draw against West Ham.