The Football Association has firmly defended the Mitre Ultimax Pro ball used in this season’s FA Cup after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola criticized its quality, calling it “difficult to control.”
Following City’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round on Saturday, Guardiola unfavorably compared the FA Cup ball to those used in the Premier League and Champions League, stating, “The ball is not proper. It’s happened for many years in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. You know how many shots went over the post? Not just Erling (Haaland)’s — look at other games.”
Despite the criticism, the FA reaffirmed the ball’s quality, stating that it meets FIFA’s highest standards.
“Mitre’s Ultimax Pro ball—used in the Emirates FA Cup and all other FA competitions—has been tested in accordance with FIFA’s requirements,” an FA spokesperson said. “All footballs in the professional game must meet FIFA Quality Pro accreditation, and this ball delivers on all testing requirements. While preference is subjective, we are confident in its performance, as demonstrated by the 350+ goals scored in the tournament so far.”
Guardiola’s remarks echo similar complaints earlier this season from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who was mocked for criticizing the Puma ball used in the League Cup after Arsenal’s 4-0 aggregate semi-final defeat to Newcastle.
City, last season’s FA Cup runners-up, managed three goals from 29 shots against Plymouth, with nine on target. In contrast, in their most recent Premier League game—a 1-0 win against Tottenham—City registered 12 shots, with five on target.
Guardiola praised the balls used in other competitions, stating, “The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League ball is exceptional, but this one is not good.”
While Adidas provides balls for the Champions League and Nike for the Premier League, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup continue to use Mitre.
City will now face Bournemouth in the quarter-finals as they continue their FA Cup campaign.
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