Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola and midfielder, Yaya Toure, has said that the ball used in the Club’s match against championship side, Wolves, was not appropriate for matches.
Guardiola said it is ”impossible” to score with the ball after his team won the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-1 penalty shootout against Wolves.
Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero was on the verge of becoming the club’s highest goal score after levelling with Eric Brook on 177 goals in all competitions but could not find the net against Wolves.
“If we played with a different ball he would break the record,” said Guardiola. “To score with that ball is a miracle.
The ball used in the Carabao Cup is being manufactured by Mitre Sports International Limited, a British sportswear material and equipment manufacturers and the World’s oldest manufacturer in London.
“It’s not Nike, Adidas I don’t know, it’s a different brand. It’s unacceptable to play with the ball.”
Nike balls are used during matches in the Premier League while Adidas balls are used in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester City were held to a goalless draw after 120 minutes of play but Claudio Bravo genius saves helped them to a 4-1 victory at the spot.
It is not a serious ball for a professional game, “I can say that after we win. If we don’t win and I say that it is an excuse.
“We get one day or two days [to use it in training] but if a ball is bad it is bad two days, one week, one month, one year, two years. If it is bad, it is bad,” said Guardiola.
“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 can say that because we won, I’m not making excuses.
“All of my players said, ‘What is that?’ Not a serious ball for a serious competition.
“It’s marketing, money, OK but it’s not acceptable – no weight, nothing.”
Meanwhile, the English Football League (EFL) has defended the ball saying it had no negative effect in matches.
“The entertainment provided across last night’s ties would suggest that the ball is not having a negative impact,” an EFL statement said.
The EFL further added that “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.
“We will look to engage with Mr Guardiola and Manchester City to fully understand any concerns in advance of their round five tie.”
The Carabao quarter final draws will be held on Thursday