Sterling sorry over spotkick decision
RAHEEM Sterling has apologised for the incident that saw City awarded a controversial penalty in the win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
City romped to a 6-0 win, with Gabriel Jesus grabbing a hat-trick as Pep Guardiola’s men put one foot in the last-16 of the Champions League.
But it was Jesus’ first goal that was the major talking point after the game, as Sterling went down under no contact.
Shakhtar felt aggrieved when Sterling advanced into the penalty area and fell over when he planted his foot into the Etihad turf as he pulled the trigger to shoot.
Despite being a step ahead of defender Mykola Matvyenko, the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot.
Pep Guardiola was seen on cameras telling the fourth official that there was no contact, and Sterling himself admitted that he simply fell over after the game.
He told BT Sport: “I went to chip the ball and don’t know what happened.
“I didn’t feel contact. I scuffed the ball. Apologies to the ref.”
Guardiola called for VAR to be introduced to help referees in such situations, but referred to the incorrect ruling out of a City goal against Liverpool in the quarterfinals last season.
Sterling went on to score himself with a fine curling shot, while City were awarded a second penalty when David Silva was hacked down.
Of the win, Sterling said: “It was a massive win.
“The Lyon match [a 2-1 home defeat in September] was one of those a wake-up calls.
“You lose the ball and these good teams can punish you.”