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Pep Guardiola Defends Sergio Aguero For Touching Sian Massey-Ellis

Pep Guardiola Defends Sergio Aguero For Touching Sian Massey-Ellis

The Manchester City boss came to the defence of his striker after the controversial moment in the game against Arsenal on Saturday.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Pep Guardiola has defended Sergio Aguero's actions in Manchester City's win against Arsenal, with the forward criticised for touching assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis.


The controversial moment happened in the first half with Massey-Ellis giving a throw in to Arsenal right in front of Aguero, who wasn't happy with the decision.

The Argentina forward confronted the assistant referee and put his hand on her neck, with Massey-Ellis doing well just to shrug him off.

Most criticised Aguero's actions, with it making for uncomfortable viewing at best, at many felt that the City striker should have been sent off. Instead he avoided even a yellow card and wasn't spoken to by the referee.

Whilst social media was buzzing with anger at the former Atletico Madrid striker, Guardiola stood up for his player after the match, saying, "Come on guys. Sergio is the nicest person I ever met in my life. Look for problems in other situations not in this one."

Guardiola talking to Aguero after substituting him off. Image: PA Images
Guardiola talking to Aguero after substituting him off. Image: PA Images

Last year Bernardo Silva was in trouble after posting a joke on Twitter to teammate Benjamin Mendy because of its racist connotations.

Guardiola backed his player on that occasion too, using a similar 'nice guy' defence of the player, saying, "We spoke many times about what happened in stadiums, regarding Bernardo I was incredibly clear. If the people believe Bernardo is this type of person they are completely wrong. They judge one joke, I judge three years with him.

"Bernardo, or anyone else in my squad, do this thing for a joke. Benjamin is like a brother to Bernardo, that is what I see every single day here.

"If someone feels bad for that tweet it can happen, but the people who judge Bernardo don't know him. He's an exceptional person. He likes to be involved in different situations. It looked the same, it happens a thousand, million times with white people."

On Saturday evening former City defender Micah Richards, working on Sky Sports, said that Aguero 'should know better' and that it 'wasn't a good look.'

The referees governing body, PGMOL, will not look further into the moment because touching an official isn't against the laws in itself.

Only if the action is deemed to be done in a 'aggressive or threatening manner' is it a yellow or red card offence and PGMOL do not believe that was the case on Saturday.

Featured Image Credit: PA/Sky Sports

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Sergio Aguero, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Arsenal, Bernardo Silva