Sergio Aguero cleared of striking steward in Manchester City melee after Raheem Sterling goal
The steward involved claimed to have been struck, reported that after the match, and gave a statement to police
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Your support makes all the difference.A statement issued to Dorset Police by a steward at the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City over a claim of being struck by striker Sergio Aguero has been withdrawn.
The alleged incident happened after Raheem Sterling’s added-time winner, when celebrating City fans spilled onto the pitch, prompting a brisk response from Vitality Stadium stewards and initial police.
As stewards held back City fans, pinning one to the ground, there was a confrontation between one steward and Aguero. The steward involved claimed to have been struck, reported that after the match, and gave a statement to police. Stewards also had to drag City left-back Benjamin Mendy away from the melee.
City officials viewed the footage of the incident and were confident that Aguero has no case to answer, with Bournemouth soon issuing a statement to withdraw the allegation.
The statement read: “AFC Bournemouth are aware of an alleged incident which occurred following Manchester City’s second goal at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
“The club have been advised that due to a misunderstanding, an earlier statement alleging assault has been withdrawn and no assault took place.
“AFC Bournemouth recognises that stewards and police were carrying out their duties in preventing encroachment onto the pitch, with the safety of players and supporters in mind.
“The club will make no further comment on the matter.”
The Argentinean striker had been dropped by Pep Guardiola for this game and was only introduced as a second half substitute for the debutant Bernardo Silva.
It was a bad-tempered afternoon with one disagreement between Guardiola and Eddie Howe threatening to spill over, after Howe thought City had failed to return the ball to his team following a stoppage. Howe and Guardiola had to be separated by the fourth official Lee Probert and Howe later said he was “disappointed” with the conduct of the City players.
The scenes at the end led to Sterling being sent off by Mike Dean, which Guardiola demanded an explanation for, defending his move to go and celebrate with the fans.
“I would like someone to call me to see what happened,” Guardiola said, “because if you cannot celebrate with the fans, the best solution is don’t invite the fans.”