Respect! Pep Guardiola publicly apologizes to referee Farai Hallam for criticism after Wolves match

It was a tough match for Guardiola's side, but they ultimately came out on top.

Details: Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola publicly apologized today during a press conference to referee Farai Hallam for expressing his dissatisfaction too emotionally and harshly towards him during last Saturday's game against Wolverhampton.

Although Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory, there was a controversial moment in the match when referee Farai Hallam failed to award a clear penalty to City, sparking a storm of negativity and emotion directed at him.

Today, Guardiola admitted that he was too sharp and rude towards Hallam at the time:

"If he feels offended, I apologize. Referees stand up for each other with their statements, and that's completely understandable.

They have to do it. But at the same time, I have to defend my club. How many times did I criticize referees last season, our worst season in 10 years? How many times? It never happened. And what about the United game? Where are my comments about the referee after the United match? Tell me.

Throughout my nine or ten years here, I have been incredibly respectful towards referees and absolutely never commented on them, despite defeats and everything else.

I know they defend each other, and the pundits and everyone else back them up. I totally get that. But I have to defend my players and my club. It's my duty when things like this happen," Guardiola told ESPN.

At the moment, Manchester City are in second place in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Arsenal by four points.

Reminder: Strange decision. Referee denies clear penalty for Manchester City