BUKAYO SAKA was accused of “behaving like a baby” for his ref rant against Bayern Munich.
Coming as it did from fiery Premier League legend Paulo Di Canio, that jibe could at first be taken as a criticism OR a compliment.
PABukayo Saka was furious at being denied a late spot-kick[/caption]
But in this case the ex-West Ham hero meant it as stinging criticism – as he slated Saka’s outburst after the Arsenal winger was denied the chance of a last-gasp penalty winner.
The England ace remonstrated wildly when Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg waved away his appeals.
Fans were divided if Saka was in the right as he claimed Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer tripped him.
The 22-year-old raced up to Nyberg to complain – even pointing to where on his leg he reckoned Neuer had taken him out.
Saka continued his complaints seconds later as the final whistle sounded on Tuesday’s 2-2 Champions League quarter-final draw.
And Arsenal assistant boss Albert Stuivenberg rushed in to push the star away – with Saka flapping his arms around in annoyance.
Sky Italy quoted Italian hothead Di Canio as slamming both the penalty appeal AND in particular Saka’s resulting protests.
The former Sunderland boss, 55, said of the spot-kick controversy: “He moves blatantly the leg towards Neuer, it’s never a penalty.”
ReutersSaka even confronted referee Glenn Nyberg after the final whistle[/caption]
And Di Canio put the boot in over Saka’s reaction to not getting his way.
The ex-Juventus and AC Milan attacker insisted; “He didn’t behave as an experienced player.”
“He behaved liked a baby with no experience.”
Di Canio might simultaneously be considered the best and worst qualified pundit to judge such tantrums.
Most infamously of all, he was banned for 11 games in 1998 for pushing ref Paul Alcock over.
And fans on social media noted the irony of his Saka assessment.
One posted: “Says one of the biggest ‘cry babies’”.
And another simply put: “Coming from Di Canio…”
But a third said of the ex-Lazio forward’s verdict: “Tough! But I agree 99%.”
ReutersGunners’ winger Saka and team-mate Thomas Partey were locked in animated debate following a contentious climax to a dramatic draw[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
