Aguero suspended for unsporting conduct

On December 5, the English Football Association (FA) decided to fine the Man City striker for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 1-3 loss to Chelsea two days earlier.

During the match at the Etihad on December 3, Sergio Aguero dangerously kicked David Luiz, as if in retaliation for a previous collision. This action earned the Argentine striker a straight red card from referee Anthony Taylor.

Aguero in a situation where the FA concluded that he had intentionally harmed an opponent, which is the basis for them to impose a four-match ban. Photo: Rex.

But due to the serious nature of the incident, the FA's disciplinary panel stepped in. They reviewed the footage and the referee's report on the incident and decided to impose a four-match ban.

Aguero will therefore be absent when Man City face Leicester City (away, December 10), Watford (home, December 14), Arsenal (home, December 18) and Hull City (away, December 26) in the next four Premier League rounds.

This is the second time this season that Aguero has been punished in the Premier League for unsporting conduct. On September 2, the star striker was suspended for three matches by the FA for elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid in the face during Man City's 3-1 win a few days earlier.

But the damage to Man City this time is much more serious. Besides Aguero, another pillar of Coach Guardiola, central midfielder Fernandinho, also received a three-match suspension. This Brazilian player was given a direct red card for a situation that seemed to want to assault Fabregas while players from both sides rushed to push and argue after Aguero's kick aimed at David Luiz.

Fernadinho collided with Fabregas, resulting in a three-match suspension. Photo: Reuters.

With the punishment for two key players, coach Guardiola will have a headache looking for alternative personnel options.

In Fernandinho’s central midfield role, the Catalan coach is likely to give more playing time to Yaya Toure, a player he has used sparingly and somewhat reluctantly. Up front, young striker Kelechi Iheanacho will be given a chance, as he did when Aguero was suspended for three games earlier in the season.

Man City is currently ranked fourth in the Premier League table with 30 points after 14 rounds, four points behind leaders Chelsea and one point behind second-place Arsenal.

According to VNE