Mancini escapes censure

Roberto Mancini will be able to oversee the remainder of Manchester City’s Champions League group matches at close quarters after escaping disciplinary action for confronting a referee.

There were suggestions the City boss could incur a touchline ban for his angry reaction after his side were held to a controversial and damaging 2-2 draw by Ajax at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Mancini walked onto the pitch to remonstrate with referee Peter Rasmussen after City had an 88th-minute Sergio Aguero goal disallowed and Mario Balotelli was denied a penalty in injury time.