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“It Was Unnecessary” – Pep Guardiola Defends Rico Lewis After Controversial Red Card in Club World Cup Win

Guardiola insists Rico Lewis had “no intention” to harm opponent after shock red card in Man City’s 2-0 Club World Cup win over Wydad Casablanca.

“It Was Unnecessary” – Pep Guardiola Defends Rico Lewis After Controversial Red Card in Club World Cup Win
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has come to the strong defence of 20-year-old Rico Lewis after the full-back was controversially sent off in the closing minutes of their 2-0 victory over Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca in their FIFA Club World Cup group stage opener.

The match, held in Philadelphia, saw City dominate for large spells, with first-half goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku sealing the win in hot and humid conditions. However, what should have been a straightforward victory ended with frustration as Lewis was shown a straight red card in the 88th minute following a challenge on Samuel Obeng.

The young England international, who has earned a growing reputation as one of City’s most promising academy graduates, slid in aggressively to win the ball. While replays showed that Lewis got to the ball cleanly, his boot made contact with Obeng’s face during the follow-through.

Referee Ramon Abatti, officiating the match for FIFA, initially reached for the red card after consulting with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Despite protests from Lewis, his teammates, and City’s technical area, the decision stood, ruling Lewis out of Monday’s next group stage fixture against Al Ain.

Guardiola, speaking to DAZN after the match, made his feelings on the decision clear.

“He thought the leg was a little bit high, but Rico was on the grass, he touched the ball,” Guardiola said. “At that speed, those things can happen. Rico had no intention to hurt anyone. It was unnecessary, honestly, the red card, but the referee had a different opinion and he’s the boss. They checked VAR, so we accept it.”

Lewis, who made 21 Premier League appearances for Manchester City last season, has continued to impress with his versatility and maturity beyond his years. Capable of playing as a full-back or in midfield, he has been hailed by Guardiola as a vital part of the club’s future. He made his senior England debut earlier this year and has already earned two international caps.

His dismissal, however, means he will now be suspended for the next game in Group G against United Arab Emirates side Al Ain in Atlanta — a significant blow to Guardiola, who has relied on Lewis to provide energy and composure in his defensive line.

Despite the red card, City’s performance was largely dominant. They had 65% possession, completed over 650 passes with an accuracy of 91%, and registered 11 shots on goal — four of which were on target. Wydad, by comparison, had only two shots on target across the entire 90 minutes.

Phil Foden opened the scoring midway through the first half with a composed finish following a slick passing move, continuing his excellent form after scoring 14 goals and providing 8 assists last season in the Premier League. Jeremy Doku added a second not long after, capitalising on a defensive error and slotting the ball past the Moroccan keeper with ease.

New signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki also made their debuts, both showing promise in their first competitive outings since joining the club this summer. Erling Haaland and Rodri were introduced in the second half, giving the side an extra gear, although they couldn’t add to the scoreline.

Manchester City, who won the UEFA Champions League in 2023 and completed a historic treble, are hoping to add the FIFA Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet — a title the club has never won before. With the new format expanding to 32 teams and offering a staggering prize of nearly £100 million for the winners, there’s every incentive to take the tournament seriously.

However, Guardiola has already raised concerns about the demands of the new schedule.

“The season is too long. Eleven months. It’s too much, but we try to stay positive. Playing in these hot, humid conditions isn’t easy, but the players handled it well,” he said after the match.

City’s next match is against Al Ain in the early hours of Monday (BST), followed by a clash with Italian giants Juventus later next week. With Rico Lewis now unavailable, Guardiola may need to rely more heavily on Kyle Walker or promote another academy talent to fill the gap.

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