Manchester City's Sergio Aguero is facing accusations of 'demeaning' sexist behavior after he put his arm round a female official
- Sergio Aguero has been branded a "sexist" after placing his arm around a female official during Manchester City's game against Arsenal on Saturday.
- The Argentine forward put his arm on the back of Sian Massey-Ellis after she awarded Arsenal a throw-in.
- "Demeaning, sexist, wildly unprofessional," said one Twitter user, while Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: "Who does Aguero think he is? Completely unacceptable."
- City boss Pep Guardiola has dismissed Aguero's actions were gender related, calling the striker the "nicest person I ever met in my life."
Striker Sergio Aguero is embroiled in a sexism row after he was seen putting his arm around a female official during Manchester City's game against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Argentine forward put his arm on the back of official Sian Massey-Ellis, who was running the line, after she awarded Arsenal a throw-in during the first half of City's 1-0 win.
It is unclear what Aguero was aiming to achieve, but it appeared as though he was complaining about Massey's decision.
The move sparked outrage from some, including British lawmakers, with Aguero accused of sexism for his actions.
"Aguero should be formally charged by the FA and suspended for a match. Demeaning, sexist, wildly unprofessional," said one Twitter user, while Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: "Who does Aguero think he is? Completely unacceptable."
The former Man City defender Micah Richards said his ex-teammate should "know better."
"It's just not a good look," Richards told Sky Sports. "We don't need to do that, you start going down a road you don't want to go down — he should know better than that."
Touching a match official in any manner is usually punished by a yellow card, however Aguero escaped reprimand on the day, and the Football Association has since confirmed he will face not retrospective action.
City boss Pep Guardiola believes the FA have made the right decision.
"Come on guys," Guardiola said after. "Sergio is the nicest person I ever met in my life. Look for problems in other situations not in this one."
Sky Sports presenter Vicky Gomersall said that she doesn't believe Aguero's actions were sexist, but that it still showed a lack of respect to the game's officials.
"The interesting thing if you read some social media comments, it's kind of people saying, 'Well if was a man you wouldn't be saying anything, it's a woman and that's why everyone is highlighting the issue,'" Gomersall said.
"For me, it isn't actually. For me you just don't do that to an official in a game, regardless of whether they are male or female.
"Sian Massey-Ellis turned professional 10 years ago, plenty of experience in how to deal with it as she seems to shrug it off, it will be interesting to see whether she wants to make more of it and indeed whether what happens."
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