• Premier League

Mancini: FIFA ruling over Aguero call-up is 'stupid'

ESPN staff
September 15, 2012
Sergio Aguero clutches his right knee © Getty Images
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has branded FIFA rules "ridiculous" and "stupid" as he continues to seethe over Sergio Aguero's recent international call-up.

Aguero has been sidelined since City's Premier League season opener when he suffered a knee injury against Southampton. But despite the 24-year-old being ruled out for at least four weeks, Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella named Aguero in his squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.

Mancini accepts Argentina had a right to select the player to conduct their own medical assessment under FIFA rules, but believes it may have hampered his recovery process.

When asked if Aguero had remained in Manchester during the past fortnight, Mancini said: "No, because his manager wanted him there. He went there for five days, he worked with the physio. The Argentina manager wanted him there. This is a stupid rule because if we had a player who is injured for two weeks it is better he stays here."

Mancini described the rule as "ridiculous" when he first heard of Aguero's call-up and had hoped the player would be allowed to stay in England. Despite that, Aguero was due to undergo a fitness test prior to Saturday's encounter with Stoke.

"Sergio is not 100% but his knee is okay. Maybe he could be on the bench," Mancini said.

Mancini may choose give his top scorer from last season a run out ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League game at Real Madrid.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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