Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has fumed at refereeing double standards after Samir Nasri was sent off in Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Norwich City.
Nasri saw red when he and Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong butted heads late in the first half. Mancini didn’t defend the Frenchman’s actions but said they both deserved to be dismissed if it was a sending-off offence.
“I am disappointed with Samir, and he will pay his fine, but the decision was not correct,” Mancini said.
“Samir did a mistake, okay, but after why when the other player did the same thing, does he send off only one? But there are two rules for different teams, and I hate this in football and cannot accept this.
“In life, there is only one rule for everyone. This season, I have seen things which are not good. For the referees, this is the most easiest thing to do, but I do not want to talk about the referees too much, because I said last time that they had a big lunch for Christmas, and I don’t know what will happen.”
Mancini said the Sky Blues would appeal the red card.
“Both players came forward with their heads, so if you are going to send off one, then you have to send off both, not only Samir,” he said. “Samir said he touched his head, okay, but the other player has done the same.
“The linesman has a big responsibility also, because it was not a good decision, it is incredible. You want to send off both players? Then, OK, the referee was there, he saw everything. The linesman was behind the players, he could not see. We will appeal, sure.”