Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has apologised to Steven Gerrard for comments about the former Liverpool captain's infamous slip.
The Catalan coach spoke about Gerrard's misfortune at the tail end of the 2013-14 season when addressing recent Premier League charges against Manchester City. He also said he had apologised privately to the former England midfielder, whose mistake helped City win the Premier League that year.
"I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary stupid comments about him. He knows how I admire him and his career, what he has done for this country. I am ashamed of myself, he doesn't deserve it."
City's charges related to alleged offences between 2009 and 2018. The 2013-14 season, when Manuel Pellegrini led the Manchester club to Premier League glory, occurred within that timeframe.
“The goal from Aguero, when Balotelli slipped? I don’t know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping at Anfield. Was that our fault?" Guardiola asked "I have respect for Steven Gerrard - but that moment belongs to us.
“The moments that we lived these years together, the Premier League will decide…but I know what we won and the way we won it. I know the effort we put in. If something happened in 2009 or 2010 it is not going to change one second.”
What did you make of Guardiola's apology? Have your say in the comments section
City themselves issued a statement after being hit with a number of charges by the Premier League. An independent commission is set to pass a verdict on the alleged offences.
"Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with," the cllub's statement read.
"The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
Guardiola's team won their first Premier League match since the charges were brought, getting the better of Aston Villa as the sides met at the Etihad Stadium for the first time since Villa - then managed by Gerrard - were 15 minutes away from a victory which could have denied City the 2021-22 Premier League title.
First-half goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez put City in control, with Ollie Watkins pulling one back for Unai Emery's visitors after the break. However, there was an injury scare for the reigning champions as Erling Haaland failed to re-emerge for the second half.
City sit three points behind league leaders Arsenal - albeit after playing a game more than their rivals - after Mikel Arteta's side were only able to draw at home to Brentford on Saturday. Guardiola's team can go top for the first time since August if they take three points against Arsenal on Wednesday in their first league meeting of the season.
