THE OFFICIAL LINE: Zabaleta deserved to be sent off... you can't scream at the ref no matter how bad a game he had

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Protest: Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a second booking after arguing with referee Stephane Lannoy

Pablo Zabaleta deserved to be sent off because no matter how poor a referee's decision, players must not scream in their faces or attempt to intimidate them.

Watching Stephane Lannoy referee the game at the Nou Camp, it was clear from the moment he turned down a nailed on penalty for the Spanish team in front of their adoring, but demanding, 90,000 fans that the Frenchman was in no mood to award a penalty kick. 

Lannoy then refused an even clearer penalty to Manchester City when Gerard Pique tripped Edin Dzeko.

Definite: Manchester City should have had a penalty when Edin Dzeko was fouled by Gerard Pique

To make matters worse for City he then dismissed Zabaleta for his second yellow card – the Argentine’s protests at Lannoy for failing to give the penalty were very strong and appeared to offend the Frenchman.

I can only assume that the City defender didn’t abuse the referee as that would have resulted in a straight red card, the second yellow must therefore have been for dissent.

Off you go: City's Zabaleta tries to speak to referee Lannoy after being sent off against Barcelona

Sad end to the game: City's Zabaleta leaves the pitch after being sent off against Barcelona

As a referee you tend to take stronger protests when you feel that you might have made a mistake, but Lannoy was not allowing Zabaleta’s actions go.

Lannoy certainly has a poor evening but Zabaleta as an experienced player must know that referees’ don’t change their decisions – however bad they are.