Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has called on the PGMOL to clarify the rules after his side's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. The Premier League match at St James' Park saw Harvey Barnes score twice, with the second goal allowed after a lengthy VAR check that left City aggrieved.
Dias, who equalised for City before Barnes struck again, argued that Newcastle's winner should not have stood due to a push on goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italy international was shoved away from goal in the build-up, but VAR did not intervene. 'What is the sense in their player pushing our keeper outside the goal?' Dias told Sky Sports.
The defender urged officials to provide consistency, stating: 'We're so picky with certain contacts, but one like this with the keeper, you allow it. If this is the rule, fine – let us do the same.' City manager Pep Guardiola also confronted referee Sam Barrott and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes after the final whistle.
Despite his frustration, Dias acknowledged Newcastle's performance: 'Today Newcastle were better and they deserved the win because of that. They were able to finish more chances than us. So in the end, all I'm saying is there needs to be a rule.'
