EFL demand showdown talks with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after he blasted Mitre match ball
After his Man City side has won a penalty shoot-out against Wolves, Guardiola raged that the ball 'was unacceptable for a high-level competition'
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THE EFL have requested showdown talks with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after he blasted the quality of the Mitre match ball.
After his Premier League leaders saw off Championship outfit Wolves in a penalty shoot-out in the Carabao Cup, Guardiola was furious with the ball used.
"It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball.
"It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I say that because we won, I'm not making excuses.
"All of my players said: 'What is that?'
"I'm sorry Carabao Cup is not a serious ball for a serious competition.
"It's [for] marketing, money, OK but it's not acceptable - [it has] no weight, nothing."
BALLS UP Pep Guardiola slams Carabao Cup Mitre football as reason for Manchester City’s struggle against Championship-side Wolves
In response, a statement from the EFL read: "The Mitre ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup is of exactly the same technical specification as the balls used in the Sky Bet EFL and Checkatrade Trophy, all of which are tested in accordance with the “FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs” and meet the “FIFA Quality Pro” standard.
"All balls used in the professional game are required to meet this standard.
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"Clearly, preference is a subjective matter, but overall the entertainment provided across last night’s Round Four ties would suggest that the ball used is not having a negative impact in the competition.
"We will look to engage with Mr Guardiola and Manchester City to fully understand any concerns in advance of their Round Five tie."
Claudio Bravo finally became a Manchester City hero on a night of spot-kick drama.
The Chilean keeper pulled off a string of top saves to keep Wolves at bay in normal time.
And he saved TWO penalties in the shootout — from Alfred N’Diaye and Conor Coady — to send City into the quarter-finals.
Sergio Aguero dinked home the decisive penalty to seal a 4-1 win — but put the gloss on what had been a frustrating display from the Argentine striker.
Aguero was searching for the goal he needs to become City’s outright all-time leading scorer and had nine efforts on goal but converted none.
City were grateful to his fellow South American Bravo for getting to extra-time as he made a series of key saves.
Bravo had a miserable first season in England but last night he looked like the keeper Pep Guardiola thought he was signing from Barcelona.
