Sergio Aguero was punched and spat at during violent scenes in a mass pitch invasion after Manchester City's shock FA Cup defeat at Wigan on Monday night.
One fan attempted to punch the Manchester City striker at full-time and Aguero brushed him away before Wigan defender Cheyenne Dunkley, City coach Mikel Arteta and physiotherapist Steven Lilley rushed to the Argentine’s aid. Aguero followed the fan and Lilley pulled the forward away before he could retaliate. The City striker also appeared to be spat at.
Sportsmail understands City will seek answers from Wigan about how an invasion was allowed to happen, putting their players in danger. The FA are likely to launch an inquiry into the post-match chaos.
Wigan chairman David Sharpe denounced the actions of the supporters. ‘It’s not nice to see,’ he said. ‘Football is emotional, it’s what it does to fans. But I don’t like to see this at the end of the game. It is a massive result, but we have to stay classy in football. I don’t like what I am seeing here.’
Wigan manager Paul Cook added: ‘It’s not right, it’s not correct, player safety is paramount.’
The ugly scenes are likely to put Wigan in hot water with the FA. The scenes were reminiscent of those at Ashton Gate when Bristol City beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in December.
City fans scrapped with stewards and police long after full-time, throwing objects including advertising hoardings having been goaded by home fans on the pitch.Battles with stewards continued after the players had left the field and the level of aggression appeared to intensify.
The fifth-round tie had sparked into life when City’s Fabian Delph was sent off for a reckless lunge at Max Power just before half-time. Pep Guardiola and Cook came together in the DW Stadium tunnel, with Cook’s assistant Peter Reid acting as peacemaker.
Guardiola admitted Delph’s red card was the correct decision by Anthony Taylor after the left back had gone through Power.
And both managers tried to play down the flare-up on the touchline — even though Guardiola appeared incensed at the time by the behaviour of the Wigan staff.
‘You want to ask me about football, ask me,’ Guardiola said. ‘Nothing happened in the tunnel. He (Cook) should stay in his position, that’s all. They were a really aggressive opponent.’
Cook added: ‘We should just speak about the game. A lot is made of tackles. I thought straight red, Pep and his bench didn’t.
‘I stand by what I think and it was a massive factor in the game. The referee deemed it a red and that’s what it is.
‘I wasn’t refereeing the game, I can assure you. Other people in the crowd deemed it a red card. The talk shouldn’t be about stuff like that.’