Manchester City officials to meet head of referees Mike Riley over tackling concerns
Thursday 22 February 2018 13:26, UK
Manchester City will meet head of referees Mike Riley over concerns that challenges on their players are not being sufficiently punished.
The Premier League leaders want the FA's current powers to punish diving retrospectively to be expanded to yellow cards for tackles that could be perceived as a red.
City director of football Txiki Begiristain will meet with the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) and they may take their case to the Premier League if they have the backing of other clubs.
City boss Pep Guardiola has repeatedly expressed concern over the force of tackling in England and called for more protection for players after injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane.
After Sane was injured by a high and dangerous challenge by Cardiff's Joe Bennett in the FA Cup earlier this month, Guardiola said: "I have said many times, the only thing the officials have to do is protect the players.
Live Carabao Cup Final
"Please protect the players. Not the Manchester City players, all the players. The only thing they can do is that: protect the players. Or it will happen again. The players are the artists and you have to take care of them. That's why you are here and why I'm here. For them, the players.
"Did I fear serious injuries? Of course. Every team can play how they want. If they decide to play in that way, perfect. But there is one man, in black, and he has to decide what is correct and incorrect. When you say: 'Why don't you win the four titles?' I need the players to win the four titles."
City saw a player of their own sent off for a high and heavy challenge on Monday, when Fabian Delph saw red against Wigan that contributed to City being dumped out of the FA Cup.
