Thursday 12 January 2012

Roberto Mancini and Steven Gerrard row over Glen Johnson tackle

Roberto Mancini and Steven Gerrard row over Glen Johnson tackle
Thursday, 12 January 2012

Manchester City, boss Roberto Mancini, is involved, in an ,angry tunnel exchange, with Liverpool, captain Steven Gerrard, after his side's 1-0 Carling Cup, semi-final, first leg defeat,

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was involved in an angry tunnel exchange with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard after his side's 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final first leg defeat.Mancini felt a Glen Johnson tackle on Joleon Lescott should have been punished for being two-footed, claiming it was worse than the challenge that resulted in a red card for Vincent Kompany in Sunday's FA Cup tie with Manchester United.


But Gerrard disagreed and made his feelings known to Mancini.While Mancini was waiting to talk to a gathering of journalists, Gerrard approached him.The Liverpool captain, pointing a finger at the City boss then waving an imaginary card, said to Mancini: "You say to the press that Wayne Rooney tried to get Kompany sent off - and you try to get Johnson sent off."While listening to him, Mancini said "I say what I want" and "yes, yes" but what he was agreeing with was unclear.Gerrard then shook his head, turned around and walked away, then Mancini shouted back at him but what he actually said cannot be understood."Gerrard came to me and said I said something," commented the Italian, who clashed twice with the England international."Steven Gerrard can say what he wants. I said what I think. That is what I am used to doing. It is not important what Gerrard or the other players have said."Mancini claimed that his anger was directed at the inconsistency of refereeing decisions more than at Liverpool defender Johnson."I said something [after the tackle]," he said. "It was not for Johnson. It is for the tackle. This tackle was worse than Vinny's. Everyone can see it."When asked if he agreed with Mancini's view on Johnson's challenge on Lescott, Gerrard told BBC Sport: "I don't think so. It was a clear winner of a tackle......

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