Pep Guardiola doesn’t hold back in his criticism of the FA Cup ball

Pep Guardiola doesn’t hold back in his criticism of the FA Cup ball following Man City’s FA Cup Fifth Round win against Plymouth.

Pep was vocal about his dissatisfaction with the FA Cup ball, claiming the Mitre ball used in the competition is “not proper” and “difficult to control.”

He pointed out that despite his team taking 29 shots, only nine were on target, with many sailing over the bar or wide, suggesting the ball’s unpredictable behaviour was to blame.

Guardiola contrasted it with the “exceptional” Nike and Adidas balls used in the Premier League and Champions League, respectively, and noted that this isn’t a new complaint—he’s been saying it for years, as have other players and managers.

He even referenced specific instances, like Phil Foden’s shots veering unexpectedly and Erling Haaland’s miss from close range, to underline his point.

“The ball is not proper” ❌⚽️

Pep Guardiola doesn’t hold back in his criticism of the FA Cup ball 😤 pic.twitter.com/mwl5SAeXFD

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 2, 2025

Interviewer: Since, the Spurs game in midweek, do you train with the FA Cup ball? And have you seen a lot of difference in terms of the movement? Do you think say, like, Haaland missed one over the bar, and is there different movements?

Pep: There is one actually from Phil. The Phil make a with the left foot, you know, to the far post. And the ball normally with the way they shoot make out inside, and that ball go away. So it’s difficult to control it. So, many years, many managers and players say about that. And when you lose it, it’s sounds like you’re complaining, you know, that because but the ball is not proper. I’m sorry. For many, many years, it happened for the FA Cup or Carabao Cup. I know it’s a business. They arrive in agreement to do that, but the ball is not good.

Interviewer: Is it, you said they can to control the shots or can actually…

Pep: Do you know how many shoots go over the post? All of them. But no no, Haaland. Look at other games. So we have to be so precise, and the boss sometimes do what, wants.

Interviewer: You not asked to change it to both?

Pep: I said for many years, but, listen. I would like to play Champions League when playing Wednesday, playing Saturday, playing Sunday. So they are thinking it’s out of our control. I said, my opinion is that people like this is fine, no fine. People will be nice to me because we won 3-1. If I will lose, I would think the same. I will not say because I don’t wanna be punished, but that is the truth. So the ball is not is not Champions League ball is exceptional. The Premier League ball is exceptional, but this one is not good.

This isn’t the first time a manager has criticised the ball after a cup tie this season, as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had been ridiculed when he expressed his anger over the ball being used in the Carabao Cup after a defeat against Newcastle in the semi-final.

Guardiola said he was not happy with the Mitre balls used in the FA Cup.

“The ball in the Champions League is exceptional, the ball in the Premier League is exceptional, this one isn’t,” he said. “It’s difficult to control.

“When you lose it [sounds like] you’re complaining, but the ball is not right. In many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, I know it’s a business and they come to agreements.

“You know how many shots went over? Look at other games. Normally the ball goes inside from these shots. ”

Nike balls are used for the Premier League, Adidas balls in the Champions League, Kipsta balls in the Europa League and Puma balls for the EFL Cup.

Mikel Arteta blames the ball for Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi final first leg

In response to Guardiola’s comments, an Football Association spokesperson said: “Mitre’s Ultimax Pro ball – used in the Emirates FA Cup and all other FA competitions – has been tested in accordance with Fifa testing.

“All footballs in the professional game are required to meet the Fifa Quality pro accreditation, and this ball delivers against all of the testing requirements.

“Alongside Mitre, we understand that preference is subjective, but we’re confident that the ball performs well. With over 350 goals scored in the knockout competition so far, it provides an exciting element to such a competitive tournament.”

Man City’s three goals in Saturday’s FA Cup game at the Etihad came from 29 shots, of which nine were on target.

In their 4-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle on the 15th of February, Guardiola’s side had 11 shots with seven on target.

Clubs are given the relevant balls to train with before cup fixtures.

And a number of Premier League sides had a higher percentage of shots on target than in their previous league matches, including Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle.

There was plenty of reaction from fans after Pep Guardiola doesn’t hold back in his criticism of the FA Cup ball…

@1CallumStirling: Make sure you keep the same energy for Prp as you did for Arteta when he spoke about the ball (when asked by a journalist). When does the media which hunt commence? Where are Gary and Jamie? Or is that only for Arteta?

@AFCMason18: Is no one gonna laugh and joke that Pep is making silly excuses or is that just an Arteta thing?

@AmandaRoche2002: All other team are playing with it too, stop complaining

@GoonerGreggs: I hope this gets the same attention as when Arteta said it about the Carabao cup ball…

@philiphartley57: Arteta said a simailr thing, yet, It’s fair for all teams, as everyone is using the same ball. So no excuses. Play ball.

@cooperphil156: He and his team should try the one I grew up with – leather with a bladder and lace. If it was rainy it finished up weighting quite a bit more and Dubbin had to be applied

@FrazerHerring: Anyone thought that maybe the premier league ball is wrong? Only prem clubs complain 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’ve played with FA cup ball,carabao cup ball and premier league ball,I’ll be honest they are different that’s true,buts it’s still a round ball and you train with the ball a week before the game and you adapt I loved it,it’s like a prov1 or a pinnacle they still go in the hole

— Jamie Ohara (@Mrjamieohara1) March 2, 2025