Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has insisted that referee Stephane Lannoy's decision to send him off against Barcelona was a "shocking" one.

The 29-year-old was dismissed 79 minutes into the 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou, having been shown a second yellow card for dissent following a penalty appeal which went against City.

"It was very clear. I think Pique was behind me and made the tackle on Edin Dzeko and the referee was only two metres away from that," the full-back is quoted as saying by BT Sport. "I don't know why I was sent off. I went to him to talk to him in a good way.

"I was a little bit angry to him because he didn't give a penalty but I have always been very respectful to him. I am frustrated. I think it was a shocking decision."

The Citizens return to league action on Saturday with a visit to face Hull City.

Written by
Daniel Lewis