Pellegrini questions impartiality of referee

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini questioned the impartiality of referee Jonas Eriksson and accused the Swede of deciding the outcome of his team's 2-0 Champions League defeat by Barcelona on Tuesday.

City fell behind in its r last-16, first-leg clash when Eriksson awarded a penalty to the visiting side in the 53rd minute for a foul by Martin Demichelis on fellow Argentine Lionel Messi that appeared to take place outside the area.

To compound the punishment, Demichelis was sent off, leaving City to play the rest of the match down to 10 men. Messi fired home from the spot and then Dani Alves added a second goal in stoppage time.