"Guardiola Criticizes FA Cup Ball: Is It Really to Blame?"

It's the ball's fault, or fault with the ball. Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta had comments on the match ball's quality when the club was knocked out of the league cup. Now similar comments are coming from Pep Guardiola. This gets the English Football Association, FA, to rush to the ball's defense.

» Published: March 03 2025

"Guardiola Criticizes FA Cup Ball: Is It Really to Blame?"
Photo: Jon Super/AP/TT

Guardiola complained after the win against Plymouth over the weekend about the ball used in the league and FA Cup.

The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League ball is exceptional, but this one is not good, said Guardiola after the 3–1 win.

He explained that the many shots that went over the goal were due to the ball, which is of a different brand than those used in the league and in the Champions League.

But the FA comes to the ball's defense.

All footballs in professional play must meet Fifa's quality requirements and this ball meets all test requirements. We understand that it is a subjective opinion which ball is the best, but we are confident that this ball performs as it should, says a spokesperson for the association.

The opposing fans did not hesitate to mock Arteta after his statements following the 0–4 loss in total in the semifinals against Newcastle.

It remains to be seen how Guardiola's complaints are received.

Manchester City is clear for the quarterfinals, where Bournemouth awaits.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Södertälje Levels Series with 2-0
1 MIN READ

Södertälje Levels Series with 2-0 Win Over Djurgården in Semifinals

Ovechkin Breaks Gretzky's NHL Goal
2 MIN READ

Ovechkin Breaks Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with 895th Career Score

Eslöv's Table Tennis Team Clinches
1 MIN READ

Eslöv's Table Tennis Team Clinches 10th National Title with Dominant Play

Ölund's Hat-Trick Powers Brynäs to
1 MIN READ

Ölund's Hat-Trick Powers Brynäs to 2-0 Lead in SM Semifinals

Madelene Sagström Advances to LPGA
1 MIN READ

Madelene Sagström Advances to LPGA Semifinals in Las Vegas

Liverpool Stunned by Fulham in
2 MIN READ

Liverpool Stunned by Fulham in Rare Premier League Defeat

AIK Triumphs 4-3 After Referee
2 MIN READ

AIK Triumphs 4-3 After Referee Incident Halts Match

Henrik von Eckermann Frustrated After
2 MIN READ

Henrik von Eckermann Frustrated After Fourth Place Finish in World Cup

AIK's Andreas Redkin Leaves Field
1 MIN READ

AIK's Andreas Redkin Leaves Field on Stretcher in Front of 40,000 Fans

Hanna Lundkvist Eyes European Championship
2 MIN READ

Hanna Lundkvist Eyes European Championship After World Cup Setback

Falsterbo Horse Show Fallout: Al
2 MIN READ

Falsterbo Horse Show Fallout: Al Shira'aa Owner Criticizes Swedish Media

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Swedish Alpine Championships Relocated to Lindvallen

Ebba Andersson's Wrong Turn Costs
2 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson's Wrong Turn Costs Her Gold at Swedish Championships

Swedish Golfers Face Club Membership
4 MIN READ

Swedish Golfers Face Club Membership Limits After New Vote

Concussion Sidelines Truls Gisselman from
1 MIN READ

Concussion Sidelines Truls Gisselman from Swedish Championship

Pelle Larsson Struggles in Miami's
1 MIN READ

Pelle Larsson Struggles in Miami's Overtime Loss to Milwaukee

Verstappen Clinches First F1 Victory
2 MIN READ

Verstappen Clinches First F1 Victory of the Season at Suzuka

Nylander's Two Goals Propel Toronto
1 MIN READ

Nylander's Two Goals Propel Toronto to Victory Over Columbus

Sagström's Quarterfinal Match Paused at
1 MIN READ

Sagström's Quarterfinal Match Paused at Dusk, Resumes Sunday

Swedish Goalies Shine in NHL
2 MIN READ

Swedish Goalies Shine in NHL with Stellar Performances

Patrik Kittel Secures Top 5
2 MIN READ

Patrik Kittel Secures Top 5 Finish at World Cup Final with New Freestyle

Jansson's Overtime Goal Lifts Karlskoga
1 MIN READ

Jansson's Overtime Goal Lifts Karlskoga Over AIK in Playoff Thriller

Sweden's Curling Team Falls to
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Team Falls to Scotland in World Championship Quarterfinal

Öster Triumphs in First Allsvenskan
2 MIN READ

Öster Triumphs in First Allsvenskan Home Game in Over a Decade

Andreas Almgren Breaks Swedish 5K
1 MIN READ

Andreas Almgren Breaks Swedish 5K Record in Drammen

Three Players See Red in
2 MIN READ

Three Players See Red in Intense Crystal Palace vs Brighton Match

Omark Returns Strong as Andreasson
2 MIN READ

Omark Returns Strong as Andreasson Extends Goal Streak in Luleå Win

IFK Göteborg Secures First Win
2 MIN READ

IFK Göteborg Secures First Win as Fans Demand Director's Resignation

Djurgarden Secures First Win of
1 MIN READ

Djurgarden Secures First Win of Season Despite Schuller's Early Exit

Djurgarden's Schüller Exits Early with
1 MIN READ

Djurgarden's Schüller Exits Early with Injury in Sirius Clash

Möregårdh Falls Short in Thrilling
1 MIN READ

Möregårdh Falls Short in Thrilling WTT Quarterfinal Against Franziska

Melwin Lycke Holm Rethinks High
2 MIN READ

Melwin Lycke Holm Rethinks High Jump Career After Tough Season

Thomas Müller to Depart Bayern
2 MIN READ

Thomas Müller to Depart Bayern Munich After 25 Years

Rain Set to Challenge F1
1 MIN READ

Rain Set to Challenge F1 Drivers as Verstappen Leads in Japan

Sweden Aims for Strong Start
2 MIN READ

Sweden Aims for Strong Start Against Wales After Early Goal Scare

Casper Ruud Criticizes Mikael Ymer's
3 MIN READ

Casper Ruud Criticizes Mikael Ymer's Lengthy Doping Ban

Team Edin Beats Norway to
1 MIN READ

Team Edin Beats Norway to Secure Spot in Curling Quarterfinals

Ovechkin Ties Gretzky's NHL Goal
2 MIN READ

Ovechkin Ties Gretzky's NHL Goal Record in Emotional Home Game

Golfer Ryan McCormick Tries Taped
1 MIN READ

Golfer Ryan McCormick Tries Taped Mouth to Curb On-Course Anger

Von Eckermann Eyes Historic Third
1 MIN READ

Von Eckermann Eyes Historic Third Title After Seventh Place Finish