THE PLAYERS

Guardiola calls for officials to clamp down on dangerous play

MANCHESTER

MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested referees must do more to protect players from serious injury, even if it means red and yellow cards for his own players.

Guardiola was angered by challenges on Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling during City’s 4-1 Premier League victory over Tottenham last weekend.

De Bruyne was fortunate to escape serious injury when Dele Alli caught him with a studs-up tackle, while Sterling was on the wrong end of a lunge by Harry Kane, with both Tottenham players receiving only yellow cards.

However, Guardiola also suggested that City defender Nicolas Otamendi was lucky to get away with only a booking after catching Kane in the face with a high boot in the same match.

He compared that challenge to the one for which Liverpool striker Sadio Mane was sent off after catching goalkeeper Ederson at Eastlands in September.

“The main thing for the referees is to protect the players and follow the rules,” Guardiola said.

“That is the most important thing. Always we are aggressive and sometimes we get injured.

“All the teams want to win and want to fight in the best way. Sometimes it happens.

“I have no doubts that Dele Ali and Harry Kane are top-team players. I am not suspicious about them, thinking they are dangerous players.

“But you have to protect them, the same as with Nicolas Otamendi and Harry Kane.

“It’s the same as what happened with Mane and Ederson. Mane doesn’t hate the goalkeeper; he didn’t want to do that.

“I’m pretty sure of that. The referees have to protect our players and the other players.”

Guardiola is certain players do not go out deliberately to hurt each other, despite Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba saying earlier this month that he hoped some of City’s players got