The referee of Manchester City’s Champions League clash at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, Viktor Kassai, had an absolute stinker in the first-half after he inexplicably awarded the Citizens a penalty after Raheem Sterling kicked the turf as he was preparing to shoot.
It was a comical moment as the England star ran through on goal, then as he was about to shoot he gave the field of play a powerful stub, and the impact meant he flew to the ground.
There was no hack or trip from the defender, but the adamant ref instantly pointed to the spot as he believed that a foul had taken place before his very eyes, with City striker Jesus then slotting home to put the hosts two up.
It’s important to note that Sterling didn’t dive, nor did he claim it was a penalty, while the reaction of his manager Pep Guardiola was just priceless.
The camera focused in on the City boss who was an animated presence in front of his coaching team, which included Mikel Arteta, as he reenacted the controversial incident, stubbing his own foot into the ground and making a gesture with his hand.
Guardiola also appeared to tell the fourth official that it wasn’t a penalty.
Sterling would go on to bag a goal for himself, and what an absolute corker it was too, as the England winger outmuscled a couple of opposition players before darting to the edge of the penalty area and unleashing a beautiful curler into the right-hand side of the net.
Take a bow, Sterling.
