Gabriel Jesus: Ex-Fifa official ‘really disappointed’ as controversial Man City footage analysed
Keith Hackett is “really disappointed” by the standard of officiating at Man City in the Champions League last Wednesday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Pep Guardiola’s side were denied a clear penalty in the goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon.
As shown by BT Sport (9 March), City appealed for a penalty when Gabriel Jesus was barged over by Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
However, the Premier League champions’ appeals fell on deaf ears with on-field referee Halil Umut Meler and VAR official Paolo Valeri deeming the incident not worthy of a penalty.
The decision mattered little with Man City carrying a 5-0 lead into the second leg at the Etihad.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs for his assessment of the penalty shout, Hackett said: “Absolutely, that is a penalty all day long.
“It doesn’t matter what the score is in the tie, or what the atmosphere is, the referee has a game to officiate. Whatever the situation is, he has a job to do and that has to be a penalty.
“I don’t know why he hasn’t given it. It was really disappointing.”
The result keeps alive City’s hopes of winning an historic treble this season.
Pep Guardiola’s side are top of the Premier League with nine Premier League fixtures remaining.
On Sunday, City travel to Southampton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Man City ‘won’t be happy’ after a new sponsor flouts UK law.