Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany avoided punishment during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace after appearing to grab referee Michael Oliver in the wake of the Eagles’s opening goal during their 2-1 victory over Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
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The Belgian and his teammates had felt aggrieved after three offside appeals were turned down by the officials before Palace striker, Glenn Murray put his side ahead from a couple of yards.
Following the goal, there was furore as the 28-year-old physically grabbed Oliver in scenes reminiscent of Angel Di Maria’s red card during Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Arsenal last month.
The Argentinian winger was given a second yellow coincidentally by the same referee after reacting badly to not being given a penalty.
After the incident, fans have taken to Twitter to discuss the altercation, or vent their frustrations at the apparent double standards depending whether you wear a red or sky-blue shirt.
Kompany escaped a yellow card for doing the exact same thing Di Maria did at Michael Oliver. #CampaignAgainstManUtd
— Luke Alexandre (@Luke__Alexandre) April 6, 2015
Kompany just put two hands on Michael Oliver as the red walked away. Why no card?
— alex boardman (@alxboardman) April 6, 2015
Pellegrini was the one saying his players don’t surround ref but look at all of them with Kompany surrounding Michael Oliver. #Hypocrites
— Henri Cudicini Afari (@CFCHenri) April 6, 2015
Kompany grabs Oliver but it’s okay cause he doesn’t play for United
— Stretford Enders (@CentralMUFC) April 6, 2015
Michael Oliver is the least consistent official! Hart headbutts him, kompany turns him around, di Maria tugs his shirt only one gets booked?
— Graham C. Garland (@ggarland13) April 6, 2015
Lel people are comparing the incident with Kompany and Di Maria. Di Maria was pulling Michael Oliver’s shirt while Kompany didnt.
— Izzat (@PendekKia) April 6, 2015
@MailSport This is the same ref who sent off di Maria, but doesn’t seem to mind a nut in the face from Hart or a grab from Kompany.
— Malc Smith (@malcphilipsmith) April 6, 2015