Virgil van Dijk: future uncertain for Liverpool star 0:48
(CNN Spanish) -
Sergio Agüero has faced a wave of criticism after putting his hand on the shoulder of a linesman, while contesting his ruling on Saturday, during the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Argentine forward was protesting a decision by Sian Massey-Ellis, who had scored a throw-in for Arsenal.
Agüero, who was visibly frustrated, confronted the judge before placing his hand on one of her shoulders, near her neck.
Massey-Ellis pulled away from the footballer, who then trotted off and the game continued.
There were no formal consequences for Agüero in the party, but the incidence was captured by television cameras and spread through social networks.
LOOK: Sergio Agüero was operated
Manchester City ended up defeating Arsenal 1-0.
British politician Rosena Allin-Khan, representative of the Labor Party in parliament, was one of the people who questioned Agüero's behavior.
Who does Agüero think he is?
Totally unacceptable, ”he wrote on Twitter.
For her part, another representative of the Labor Party and Minister of Sports, Alison McGovern, described the incident as "horrendous".
"Get your hand off his neck," McGovern tweeted.
The regulations indicate that a referee can send off a player who faces a referee in an "aggressive" way.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defended the forward when he received questions about the incident.
"Let's go guys.
Sergio is the kindest person I have ever met in my life.
Look for problems in other situations, but not in this one, "he said.
However, former Manchester United and England player Gary Neville spoke with CNN Sports' Amanda Davies and said that Agüero should apologize for what happened.
"No footballer should lay their hands on a referee, male or female," Neville said.
Aguero and Massey-Ellis remained silent and did not comment publicly on what happened.
CNN attempted to contact representatives for Agüero, Manchester City and the Football Association of England, but none immediately responded to CNN's request for comment.
CNN also contacted the Premier League, which represents Massey-Ellis, but they declined to comment on the case.
Kun AgüeroPremier LeagueManchester CityPep GuardiolaSergio AgüeroSian Massey-Ellis