Manchester City midfielder did not hide his anger after his team were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by English rivals Tottenham on a rollercoaster night of action at the Etihad Stadium.
City beat Spurs 4-3 in Manchester but the London club progressed on away goals following their 1-0 win at home a week ago.
Also on rt.com Reaction as Spurs knock Man City out on astonishing night of Champions League drama
An incredible game – which featured five goals in the opening 21 minutes – made use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at two crucial junctures.
The first came when Spurs forward Fernando Llorente scored from a corner on 73 minutes, bundling the ball over the line to put the score at 4-4 on aggregate.
There was the strong suggestion that the Spaniard had used his hand to do so, although having consulted VAR, referee Cuneyt Cakir was satisfied that the goal should stand.
Replays showed that the ball may indeed have brushed Llorentes arm before hitting his thigh and going in, although it was not intentional.
Then came yet more drama as City thought they had won the tie in injury time when Raheem Sterling had the ball in the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations from the City players, staff and fans.
But again, VAR would intervene to the benefit of Spurs, as Turkish official Cakir was informed that City striker Sergio Aguero had been offside before passing the ball to Sterling to score.
Citys Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, a second-half substitute on the night, apparently made his feelings clear after the game about the intervention of VAR against his team.
“F*ck VAR,” the 33-year-old is said to have replied when asked for comment from journalists in the mixed zone.
Asked Fernandinho for a word in the mixed zone. He gave me two: “Fuck VAR.”
— Simon Mullock (@MullockSMirror) April 17, 2019
City boss Pep Guardiola was somewhat more diplomatic in his post-match press conference, but still lamented what he felt was the injustice of the Llorente goal.
"I support VAR, absolutely, if just to see the goal from Llorente 's handball; from one angle it's handball, but from the angle the referee saw, it's not,” the Spaniard said.
“I'm a fan for the fair football, the fair decisions. The referee must be helped soRead More – Source
Manchester City midfielder did not hide his anger after his team were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by English rivals Tottenham on a rollercoaster night of action at the Etihad Stadium.
City beat Spurs 4-3 in Manchester but the London club progressed on away goals following their 1-0 win at home a week ago.
Also on rt.com Reaction as Spurs knock Man City out on astonishing night of Champions League drama
An incredible game – which featured five goals in the opening 21 minutes – made use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at two crucial junctures.
The first came when Spurs forward Fernando Llorente scored from a corner on 73 minutes, bundling the ball over the line to put the score at 4-4 on aggregate.
There was the strong suggestion that the Spaniard had used his hand to do so, although having consulted VAR, referee Cuneyt Cakir was satisfied that the goal should stand.
Replays showed that the ball may indeed have brushed Llorentes arm before hitting his thigh and going in, although it was not intentional.
Then came yet more drama as City thought they had won the tie in injury time when Raheem Sterling had the ball in the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations from the City players, staff and fans.
But again, VAR would intervene to the benefit of Spurs, as Turkish official Cakir was informed that City striker Sergio Aguero had been offside before passing the ball to Sterling to score.
Citys Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, a second-half substitute on the night, apparently made his feelings clear after the game about the intervention of VAR against his team.
“F*ck VAR,” the 33-year-old is said to have replied when asked for comment from journalists in the mixed zone.
Asked Fernandinho for a word in the mixed zone. He gave me two: “Fuck VAR.”
— Simon Mullock (@MullockSMirror) April 17, 2019
City boss Pep Guardiola was somewhat more diplomatic in his post-match press conference, but still lamented what he felt was the injustice of the Llorente goal.
"I support VAR, absolutely, if just to see the goal from Llorente 's handball; from one angle it's handball, but from the angle the referee saw, it's not,” the Spaniard said.
“I'm a fan for the fair football, the fair decisions. The referee must be helped soRead More – Source
