Pep Guardiola says he feels “embarrassed and ashamed” about his behaviour after grabbing a cameraman’s headset after a Manchester City defeat.
The club’s manager reacted angrily after being filmed in close proximity following his team’s Premier League loss against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Guardiola was involved in animated discussions with home captain Bruno Guimaraes, and the match officials on the field, when the incident took place.
He had been unhappy at the decision to award Harvey Barnes’ 70th-minute winning goal.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Guardiola said: “I feel embarrassed and ashamed when I see it. I don’t like it. I apologised to the cameraman after one second.”
He said that he had “made a huge mistake”, but added: “I defend my team and my club, that’s for sure”.
Guardiola also played down what had appeared to be a heated exchange with Gumaraes.
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“We have known Bruno for many, many years, and every time after the game, even at the Etihad, we talk in the tunnel or wherever, always,” he said.
“I don’t know what happened. Our paths always cross, and I always have a good relationship with him.”
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Guardiola, however, hinted he may have more to say about the officiating against Newcastle, but he wanted to get Tuesday’s Champions League fixture with Bayer Leverkusen out of the way first.
“The referee was involved,” he said. “For 95 minutes, 98 minutes, he was involved. My God, he was involved. On Friday, we talk.”
City had complained that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled in the build-up to Barnes’ decisive strike in the Newcastle’s 2-1 win.
Saturday’s defeat was their fourth in the Premier League this term, but they have made a strong start in the Champions League.
City sit fourth in the league phase table with 10 points heading into the fifth round of games.
