Criticized by Gary Neville, Sergio Aguero Defended by Pep Guardiola

DBasia.news – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has returned to defend Sergio Aguero following Gary Neville’s suggestion that the Argentine forward should apologize for placing his hand on assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal. Aguero denied a throw-in decision before touching Massey-Ellis as he turned to leave, the incident drawing heavy criticism.

Neville said Aguero should apologize for his actions. However, after reviewing the incident, the Football Association was satisfied that match officials did not believe formal action was necessary.

“I know Aguero very well. This is like what happened with Bernardo Silva and (Benjamin) Mendy. People who come from outside, I don’t judge. I know Sergio’s intentions,” Guardiola said as quoted by the Daily Mail, Saturday (24/10).

According to him, Aguero puts his hands in the normal way, and that is usually done to him on and off the pitch, or when he hugs him when there is a change of players, or when sometimes he touches the referee too.

“I don’t see if I will see aggression or something like that, maybe. I think that’s normal, because I know very well Sergio, who has been an extraordinary star of world football and is one of the most humble and kindest people who I’ve ever met,” he added.

“The important thing is the intention, and the intention is to talk to him in a normal way. And I’m pretty sure – I didn’t talk to Sergio about this – if he feels bad, he will apologize without any problems,” concluded the former Barcelona manager.