FA review Aguero, Pep incidents - sources

Published on: 20 February 2018

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was spat and sworn at by a Wigan Athletic fan during the pitch invasion that followed their FA Cup tie, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.

Television footage showed Aguero raising his arm to push away a supporter as hundreds of fans ran onto the pitch after League One side Wigan's 1-0 win at the DW Stadium.

Aguero could face an investigation from the Football Association over his involvement in the incident.

ESPN FC has been told that the striker told club officials that the supporter shouted abuse at him before spitting, prompting his angry reaction.

Aguero was restrained by Wigan defender Chey Dunkley, to whom he had been talking after the full-time whistle.

Referee Anthony Taylor's report will be studied, with police also potentially involved if a complaint is made by either party.

Sources have told ESPN FC that any action is unlikely on Tuesday, with the organisation determined to study the report and further evidence and footage before potential charges are issued.

City defender John Stones told reporters: "It is never nice to see that happen if the opposition team were on the end of it, but we were on the end of it.

"Obviously the home fans were coming on the pitch. It is never nice to see."

The Football Association is investigating four separate incidents from Monday's cup tie, sources have told ESPN FC.

A fifth incident -- the first-half red card issued to City midfielder Fabian Delph for a late challenge on Wigan's Max Power -- is not expected be reviewed, with Taylor's decision leading to an automatic three-match suspension for violent conduct.

However, the FA is awaiting Taylor's report into the touchline confrontation between managers Paul Cook and Pep Guardiola in the wake of Delph's dismissal.

The bad-tempered clash spilled over at half-time, with Guardiola appearing to pursue Cook down the players' tunnel before seeking out the match officials.

Again, the FA will study Taylor's report but will also consider television footage of the tunnel incident before deciding whether to take action.

The postmatch scenes that saw hundreds of supporters run onto the playing surface could lead to Wigan being punished by the FA, and the League One club will be asked to provide observations and explain their security procedures.

Sources have told ESPN FC that City will seek an explanation from Wigan about how the pitch invasion was allowed to happen, with players' safety put in danger.

Wigan expressed their displeasure at supporters invading the pitch in a statement, and chief executive Jonathan Jackson said that the club would investigate.

"Whilst we appreciate that the vast majority of supporters who ran on to the pitch did so spontaneously to celebrate a famous victory, we were disappointed with the action of a minority of supporters who acted in an inappropriate manner," Jackson said.

"Player and staff safety is of paramount importance, and we will conduct a full investigation."

An advertising hoarding thrown from the City section, which appeared to hit a police officer, will also be studied.

ESPN FC Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith contributed to this report.

Source: espn.co.uk

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