Pep Guardiola says referee’s decision to dismiss Rico Lewis was ‘unnecessary’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Rico Lewis’ red card was ‘unnecessary’ by the referee (Derik Hamilton/AP)

Pep Guardiola leapt to the defence of Rico Lewis after the Manchester City defender’s “unnecessary” sending-off in their Club World Cup opener on Wednesday.

Lewis was dismissed two minutes from the end of an otherwise satisfactory 2-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca in humid conditions in Philadelphia.