Man City stunned as referee forced to ignore VAR rule due to furious player reaction

Manchester City were dumped out of the FIFA Club World Cup in Orlando - but only after the match referee broke VAR protocol and clarified his decision to give a goal following the furious reaction of stunned Al-Hilal stars.

Referees are required to explain to the crowd when a decision has been overturned following a VAR check. No such communication is required if the VAR agrees with the referee's original decision

However, that rule was disregarded during City's shock defeat to the Saudi side on Tuesday morning - amid intense backlash from Al-Hilal players and supporters.

Bernardo Silva gave City an early lead by nudging the ball into the net from close range. Al Hilal players instantly contested the goal being given, urging referee Jesús Valenzuela to view the large screens showing a replay of the goal, with the ball striking Rayan Ait-Nouri on the arm in the build-up to the goal.

But the VAR had already reviewed the goal, concluding that the ball struck Ait-Nouri high enough on the arm to allow the goal to be given. Despite this, the opposing team and their fans remained defiant and continued their protest.

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Referee Jesús Valenzuela was eventually forced to explain his decision to the crowd over the PA system, despite not being required to due to his decision not being overturned.

Following the clarification, he Al Hilal fans and players finally calmed down, allowing the match to resume. And they duly produced an almighty shock, defeating City in extra-time in Orlando.

Pep Guardiola insisted they created and wasted enough chances to win the match, after falling to a 4-3 loss after 120 minutes.

Guardiola said: “It was a difficult game. We allowed them to make transitions we created a lot. It is a pity, we have been on incredible journey together and so good place.

“We were so open. When the crosses arrived, in the first action, they had the ability to pass the ball and attack and they have quick players. We created a lot and had a lot of chances against a team that defend so deep. They punished us on the transitions.”

Guardiola said the training camp had been good even if the tournament ended in disappointment.

He added: “The vibe was really good, I cannot thank Manchester City enough and especially the players for training and how they have bene playing. The margins are minimal, they ran into transitions a bit, but we created a lot, Bono made incredible saves.

“We would have loved to have continued, only here once every four year, we had a feeling that the team is doing well but we go home and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season.

“It is too early to say but so many good things I did not seen in the past. The relationship between the players, our captained helped a lot and the standards with staff.

“I felt we were happy here, the training sessions have been really good but the level of this competition is the World Cup and we regret a little bit that we allowed them to run a bit more.”

Al-Hilal boss Simone Inzaghi claimed his side produced the equivalent of “climbing Mount Everest without oxygen” by knocking out City.

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