Pellegrini blast ref chosen for United clash

Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson will take charge of the second leg of Manchester United’s Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich in Germany tomorrow night.

Eriksson was the referee who earned the wrath of Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini for his decision-making in City’s 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the last-16 first leg in February.

Pellegrini was particularly unhappy that Eriksson awarded a penalty to Barcelona for a foul by Martin Demichelis on Lionel Messi that was shown to be outside the box, while he felt there was a foul on Jesus Navas in the build-up.

Pellegrini said: “He did not have any control of the game. He was on the side of Barcelona from the beginning until the end.”

Pellegrini apologised later, claiming he did not intend to accuse the referee of bias or disparage Sweden, but was handed a three-match touchline ban, one of which was suspended.