Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini and striker Mario Balotelli have escaped punishment from UEFA following their post-game altercation with Danish refereePeter Rasmussen in the wake of City’s 2-2 draw with Ajax on Tuesday that left the Blues bottom of Group D in the UEFA Champions League with an extremely slender chance ofqualifying for the second round.
In the end, neither Rasmussen nor UEFA’s match delegate reported the incident, which means both Mancini and Balotelli have escaped a potential fine orban for their behavior.
Ballotelli had to be held back by captain Vincent Kompany after the final whistle as he tried to confront Rasmussen about his failure to award apenalty for a foul on the striker in stoppage time.
Mancini also had words with the Danishofficial, about a goal he disallowed for off side that would have given Manchester City the lead. “I said it was a goal,” the Italian told reporters. “I didn’t see the last situationwith Mario, but my players say it was a penalty. The referee and his staff were really poor tonight. I said to the referee that it was a goal. ‘Congratulations, it was a goal’.” He added: “Whatdid he [the referee] say back to me? Nothing.”