Pellegrini courts trouble with rant about referee

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is facing the likelihood of disciplinary action from UEFA after accusing Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson of lacking “impartiality” during the 2-0 defeat by Barcelona.

Pellegrini said Eriksson was “on Barcelona’s side from beginning to end” and was trying to make up for a previous mistake against the Catalan side, and also questioned UEFA’s decision to appoint an official from Sweden for the Champions League last 16 first leg match.