Gary Lineker was forced to step in and intervene on Twitter in defence of Raheem Sterling during Man City’s Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Sterling won Man City a penalty in the first-half of the game that had most of Twitter in hysterics but left Piers Morgan in outrage.
Clean through on goal, he tripped himself when he stubbed his toe on the pitch and went down poleaxed.
Celebrity Twitter troll Morgan lashed out after Sterling’s fantastic goal in the 48th minute with “Shame he felt the need to allow a fraudulent penalty earlier.”
Lineker replied saying that Sterling didn’t appeal and that he may well have told the referee that it wasn’t a penalty.
He didn’t appeal and for all we know may have told the referee and been ignored… which is generally standard procedure. https://t.co/vDuyH9AeWq
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 7, 2018
Morgan wasn’t giving it up there though, calling Sterling “pathetic” for letting the referee award a penalty. Lineker merely responded with “More faux outrage”.
More faux outrage. ? https://t.co/zlGdYcpJwD
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 7, 2018
Morgan said he wasn’t outraged but said it was disappointing to see an England player do that.
Once again Lineker replied saying that Sterling didn’t dive and that referees don’t usually change their minds when a player confesses to something.
Perhaps if Morgan played football himself he might know that.
In the end the decision had little effect on a game where Man City were beyond ruthless, running out 6-0 winners at the Etihad.
Say again, he stubbed his toe, he didn’t dive. Referees generally do not change their decisions even if a player confesses, which he may have done. https://t.co/gCVxJNn8uD
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 7, 2018
OPINION
Whether Sterling said anything to the referee or not is irrelevant. The referee and his assistants shouldn’t have missed something so obvious and games of this magnitude should have VAR. It’s a simple as that. We doubt the authorities want people to be laughing at decisions in some of their biggest games but that’s what happened tonight and the clip of Sterling going down will go viral overnight and be laughed at around the world. Way to go UEFA. Actually, most people will be laughing. Some, like Morgan, will use it as another stick to beat poor Raheem Sterling with. What he has to put up with from some sections of the media and people like Morgan is sickening. He’s one of our finest players and an admirable character off the pitch by all accounts too. Good on Lineker for defending him tonight, it’s just a shame that Morgan never actually listens to anyone ever. The trouble is, if you ignore him he doesn’t go away either.