City can’t say they weren’t warned

rAheeM sTerlING simply had to be dismissed. he only has himself to blame.

referees brief Premier league captains and a member of each management team before every game about the need for players to remain on the playing surface in their goalscoring celebrations.

Mike Dean followed that protocol and told Vincent Kompany and a member of the City staff exactly that in his pre-match briefing.

Therefore, nobody should be surprised, appalled or dismayed when the referee merely upholds the law and cautions a player for doing so.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said after the game he wanted to be told what offence sterling had committed. Well, he should take the teamsheet in and listen to the pre-match briefing then.

After scoring City’s last- gasp winner, sterling (right, with Dean) was understandably excited and wanted to celebrate. however, when Chris sutton in these pages and Alan shearer on Match of The Day claim that footballers cannot control their emotions, they should consider how the well-rehearsed and choreographed dance moves are enacted by a lot of players. They can control themselves — and they must.

Those accusing Dean of being a pedant should look at the incident and note the fans being crushed, along with stewards and police.

Those supporters who entered the field of play will, in all likelihood, get banning orders for at least the rest of the season, and criminal records.