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| *Nasri |
The announcement will be a source of fresh frustration for
City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
It follows the Chilean's criticism of the performance of
referee Jonas Eriksson after his side's 2-0 defeat by Barca in the first leg of
their last 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium earlier this week.
Now, just three days before the return leg at the Nou Camp, City face holders Wigan in a repeat of the 2013 FA Cup final at Etihad Stadium.
Now, just three days before the return leg at the Nou Camp, City face holders Wigan in a repeat of the 2013 FA Cup final at Etihad Stadium.
Even the broadcasters themselves acknowledged the problems
they'd caused the Premier League title contenders.
City's packed program next month starts with the League Cup
final against Sunderland at Wembley on March
2.
But following a match at home to Stoke this weekend, City do
not face another league fixture for three weeks because of commitments caused
by still being in the hunt for four trophies this season.
But their hopes of a first Champions League title are
hanging by a thread, with Pellegrini especially furious with Eriksson for
sending off City's Martin Demichelis early in the second half in an incident
that led to the defender's fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi opening the scoring
from the penalty spot.
Pellegrini said Swedish official Eriksson lacked
“impartiality” but Demichelis refused to blame the referee for his exit.
“I tackled him (Messi) because we were still outside the
box,” Demichelis said.
“But I don't blame the referee. It happened all too fast. I
have seen the moment again on TV and think 'Why did I have to tackle him and
not keep running by his side?'
“I was sure I would get the ball when I made the tackle. And
then you think that you will steal the ball from Messi, you realise that you
don't. But I made the foul.”
UEFA has opened an investigation into Pellegrini's outburst
and he is in danger of a fine or touchline ban.
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