Manchester City’s title hopes took a painful hit after a dramatic draw with Nottingham Forest—but the controversy didn’t end with the final whistle.
Bernardo Silva Risks FA Punishment After Explosive Referee Comments Following Man City Draw
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva could be facing disciplinary action from the Football Association after delivering blunt criticism of match officials following City’s dramatic 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
The tense result at the Etihad Stadium dealt a significant blow to Manchester City’s Premier League title ambitions, allowing league leaders Arsenal to extend their advantage at the top of the table.
But while the dropped points frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side, the controversy surrounding refereeing decisions quickly became the dominant talking point after the match.
City twice took the lead against Vítor Pereira’s Nottingham Forest in a chaotic contest. However, the visitors fought back both times through goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, leaving the champions stunned and the home crowd frustrated.
The match was also filled with heated moments inside Forest’s penalty area.
Several key incidents involving Erling Haaland sparked loud appeals for penalties from Manchester City players and supporters. Yet referee Darren England and the VAR officials repeatedly chose not to award a spot-kick.
Those decisions left City feeling aggrieved—and the frustration spilled into the post-match interviews.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Bernardo Silva did not hold back when asked about the controversial calls.
The Portuguese midfielder suggested Manchester City have repeatedly been on the wrong end of close refereeing decisions this season.
“We’re quite used to it,” Silva said. “All the 50–50 decisions have gone against us this season. That’s the reality.”
Silva also pointed specifically to an incident involving Haaland and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, which City believed should have resulted in a penalty.
“I’ve just watched the Erling incident,” Silva explained. “For me it’s a penalty. Some people might have a different opinion. But what can Erling do?”
Despite the criticism, the City captain acknowledged that such decisions are outside the team’s control.
“We know how it works,” he added. “Our job is to be better because these things we cannot control.”
However, those comments could now land Silva in serious trouble.
The Football Association has strict rules regarding statements that appear to question the integrity or impartiality of referees. Under FA Rule 3.1, players can face disciplinary action if their remarks imply bias or undermine the reputation of match officials.
And the timing is particularly sensitive.
Silva’s teammate Rodri is already under investigation after making similar comments earlier in the season following Manchester City’s 2–2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Rodri suggested in a televised interview that refereeing decisions had negatively affected City, prompting the FA to open a case against the Spanish midfielder.
Silva’s claim that “all 50/50 decisions” have gone against Manchester City could now be interpreted in a similar way—raising the possibility of another FA charge against a key City player.
For Pep Guardiola, such developments would add another layer of tension during a crucial stretch of the season.
Manchester City are already locked in a fierce title race with Arsenal, where every point—and every distraction—can have huge consequences.
The 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest has already made the path to the Premier League trophy more difficult.
Now, Silva’s comments could trigger off-field problems that further complicate City’s pursuit of silverware.
With the title race intensifying and emotions running high, Manchester City’s battle may now extend beyond the pitch—and into the FA’s disciplinary spotlight.
Leave a Reply