PEP GUARDIOLA was sent off after telling Spanish ref Antonio Mateu Lahoz to shut his mouth, it was claimed on Wednesday.
The Manchester City boss has been charged by Uefa for improper conduct after his outburst during Tuesday’s defeat to Liverpool.
The 47-year-old insisted after his side went out to Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals that he had not been rude to the match official.
But Spanish media told a different story about the Catalan’s half-time outburst after Leroy Sane’s goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside and the Citizens had a penalty shout turned down.
Respected Spanish broadcaster Antena 3, thought to have got a lipreader to decipher his verbal attack on Mateu Lahoz, quoted him as saying: “It’s a penalty. Look at it on the TV.
“It’s a goal and a penalty. Shut your mouth. It’s a goal and a penalty.”
The Man City boss could be seen on camera putting his finger to his mouth in an ugly gesture which seemed to support the idea he had insulted him, putting Guardiola at risk of a three-match ban.
The referee was overheard telling Pep’s coaching staff seconds later as the angry manager marched down the tunnel towards the changing rooms: “Tell Pep he’s sent off.”
‘PATHETIC WINKER’ Meet ref hated by Pep but loved by Jose who’s been blasted for City sham
Guardiola, forced to watch from the stands as his side lost a 1-0 half-time lead and their hopes of Champions League glory were ended, insisted after the match he had simply told Mateu Lahoz that Leroy Sane’s goal should have stood.
He said: “I said it was a goal when the ball was passed to Leroy Sane. That’s why he sent me off.”
Most Read in Sport
“I didn’t insult him, I just said ‘It’s a goal, the ball came from Milner.’
“He said, ‘oh the pass came from Milner?’
“And I said yes, it came from Milner.
“I was polite, I was correct but Mateu Lahoz is a special guy – he likes to be different, he likes to be special.”
Spanish media did not make it clear whether Guardiola had shouted in Castillian Spanish or Catalan – although the ref was born in the province of Valencia south of Catalonia and is likely to understand Catalan even if he doesn’t speak it.
Guardiola already had his concerns about the Spanish official after he gave a string of controversial penalties against the Blues last year.
Mateu Lahoz, who made six bookings at the Etihad, is renowned for being one of the most controversial referees in the game.
Speaking about the Spaniard after the game, Guardiola said: “But he is a special guy, he likes to be different, he likes to be special.”
Retired Spanish ref Juan Andujar Oliver, now a regular TV and radio pundit, criticised the Man City manger for his outburst.
He said: “Guardiola hasn’t got the respect he should for referees.”
Liverpool have also been charged following Tuesday’s clash after fireworks were set off and objects were thrown outside of the Etihad.
Leave a comment