“This allegation is false.”
The final few minutes of Bournemouth’s game against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon were frantic. City won the game when Raheem Sterling made it 2-1 to the visiting team in the seventh minute of added time.
Just a moment or two beforehand, Bournemouth were on the attack and had the chance to win it. A minute after scoring, Sterling had been sent-off by Mike Dean for celebrating with the travelling City fans.
The steward alleges that he was hit. https://t.co/RHuvwneaT5
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 26, 2017
However, the referee didn’t have the spotlight for long.
Following the breathless finish to the game, a strange story emerged. Sam Cunningham, a Mail Online journalist, reported that police had taken a statement from a steward at the game who claimed that Sergio Aguero had “hit” him during City’s celebrations when fans came onto the pitch.
Exclusive: Police have taken a statement from a Bournemouth steward who alleges Sergio Aguero hit them. Full story @MailSport shortly.
— Sam Cunningham (@samcunningham) August 26, 2017
It was a serious accusation to make and it remains to be seen if the police or the Premier League will take any action against the City striker.
Aguero addressed the matter on Twitter on Saturday evening, and said any suggestion that he “hit” a steward is “false.”
Great win today! On this story about their steward, I did not hit anyone, this allegation is false, and the tv pictures prove it. C´mon City
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) August 26, 2017
Footage emerged of the incident, and Aguero can be seen picking up a police officer’s hat, and returning it to the officer. He then comes back and interacts with the City fan who was being restrained on the pitch.
We’re not allowed show any footage from Premier League matches, but hopefully these screenshots help convey what happened. If not, click here for the clip.