BREAKING NEWS: Match officials from the Manchester City vs. Al-Hilal game have been suspended as part of an ongoing bribery investigation. The suspension follows a series of questionable VAR decisions that played a decisive role in Manchester City's humiliating loss. Referees have reportedly attributed the controversial calls to the players' exaggerated reactions. Full story via 🔗 in comments. 👇

Manchester City were humiliated in America as they were dumped out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, but not before controversy involving VAR and referee Jesus Valenzuela

Pep Guardiola argues with referee Jesus Valenzuela as Manchester City are dumped out of the Club World Cup(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester City were embarrassed as they were knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Saudi side Al-Hilal, amid a VAR controversy.

Pep Guardiola’s side were humiliated by a shock loss to the 2021 AFC Champions League winners, who beat the Premier League giants 4-3 with a 112th minute winner in extra time – a massive upset that Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi described like “climbing Mount Everest without oxygen”.

But it was not before the match referee flouted VAR protocol and clarified his decision to award a goal amidst the vehement protests from Al-Hilal players. Referees are obliged to inform the crowd when a decision has been reversed following a VAR review. However, no such announcement is necessary if the VAR concurs with the referee’s initial decision.

This rule was overlooked during City’s capitulation to the Saudi team on Tuesday morning, amid fierce objections from Al-Hilal players and fans. After a fine win over Juventus in their last outing, Bernardo Silva put City ahead early on by nudging the ball into the net from close quarters.

Al Hilal players immediately disputed the goal, imploring referee Jesús Valenzuela to look at the big screens displaying a replay of the goal, which showed the ball hitting Rayan Ait-Nouri on the arm in the lead-up to the goal.

Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola wasn’t happy after losing the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match(Image: Getty Images)

However, the VAR had already scrutinised the goal, determining that the ball hit Ait-Nouri high enough on the arm for the goal to stand. Despite this, the opposition team and their supporters remained unyielding and continued their protest, reports the Mirror.

Eventually, referee Jesús Valenzuela felt compelled to explain his decision to the crowd over the PA system, even though he wasn’t required to do so as his decision hadn’t been overturned.

After the confusion was cleared up, Al Hilal’s fans and players finally settled down, allowing the match to proceed. They then pulled off a stunning upset, beating City in extra-time in Orlando.

Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo equalised just 44 seconds into the second half, before in the 52nd minute former Barcelona man Malcom ran clear and slotted to give Al-Hilal a shock lead. Erling Haaland poked in from a corner just minutes later.