Puel faces angry Dan

PEP GUARDIOLA failed to meet Mike Riley to discuss Manchester City’s frustration at refereeing inconsistencies – despite calling for greater protection for players.

Former Premier League ref Riley (left), head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), met with City sporting director Txiki Begiristain (right) and chief operating officer Omar Berrada at the City’s training ground yesterday.

Although Guardiola was at the training complex, preparing for tonight’s Champions League last-16 tie with Basel, he was not involved in the meeting with Riley. His absence from the meeting was a surprise, given he has been so outspoken about wanting to see greater protection for players of all clubs from referees and officials. Asked about the meeting, Guardiola said: “I didn’t know it. I don’t know which issues they talked about. “When I spoke about the tackles it is not about Manchester City players, it was about all football. I will speak with Txiki. Maybe he will tell me how the meeting went.”

City requested the meeting with Riley after a number of appalling challenges against their players were dealt with by way of yellow cards, with the feeling many of them should have warranted reds. LEICESTER’S title-winning full-back Danny Simpson wants urgent talks with boss Claude Puel.

Simpson had been a regular Foxes starter during the last two seasons.

But midfielder Daniel Amartey played right-back against Bournemouth in Saturday’s 1-1 draw – ahead of Simpson, who did not even make the bench.

Before the game, Puel had said: “I wanted to see Daniel Amartey because he trained very well.”

The decision backfired when Amartey went off injured after 20 minutes.

Now Simpson wants to discuss his prospects.