Wigan fan attacks Sergio Aguero during pitch invasion

Wigan fan attacks Sergio Aguero during pitch invasion



Sergio Aguero was punched and spat at during violent scenes in a mass pitch invasion after Manchester City's shock FA Cup defeat at Wigan on Monday night.



One fan attempted to punch the Manchester City striker at full-time and Aguero brushed him away before Wigan defender Cheyenne Dunkley, City coach Mikel Arteta and physiotherapist Steven Lilley rushed to the Argentine's aid. Aguero followed the fan and Lilley pulled the forward away before he could retaliate. The City striker also appeared to be spat at.



Sportsmail understands City will seek answers from Wigan about how an invasion was allowed to happen, putting their players in danger. The Football Association, meanwhile, is investigating four separate incidents from the match, including Aguero's confrontation with the supporter. 



An advertsing hoarding thrown from the section of City fans, which appeared to hit a police officer, is also under scrutiny, along with the pitch invasion that preceded that incident. Wigan will be asked to explain their security arrangements.



But the FA will wait until referee Anthony Taylor files his match report before judging whether to take action over the tunnel bust-up between Pep Guardiola and Wigan boss Paul Cook. They will also use video evidence, with the incident caught on TV cameras.



Fabian Delph's red card is not expected to be reviewed, with the midfielder left facing a three-match ban for violent conduct.



Wigan chairman David Sharpe denounced the actions of the supporters. 'It's not nice to see,' he said. 'Football is emotional, it's what it does to fans. But I don't like to see this at the end of the game. It is a massive result, but we have to stay classy in football. I don't like what I am seeing here.'



Wigan manager Cook added: 'It's not right, it's not correct, player safety is paramount.'



The ugly scenes were reminiscent of those at Ashton Gate when Bristol City beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in December.



City fans scrapped with stewards and police long after full-time, throwing objects including advertising hoardings having been goaded by home fans on the pitch. Battles with stewards continued after the players had left the field and the level of aggression appeared to intensify.



The fifth-round tie had sparked into life when City's Delph was sent off for a reckless lunge at Max Power just before half-time. Guardiola and Cook came together in the DW Stadium tunnel, with Cook's assistant Peter Reid acting as peacemaker.



Guardiola admitted Delph's red card was the correct decision by Taylor after the City man had gone through Power.



And both managers tried to play down the flare-up on the touchline — even though Guardiola appeared incensed at the time by the behaviour of the Wigan staff.



'You want to ask me about football, ask me,' Guardiola said. 'Nothing happened in the tunnel. He (Cook) should stay in his position, that's all. They were a really aggressive opponent.'



Cook added: 'We should just speak about the game. A lot is made of tackles. I thought straight red, Pep and his bench didn't.



'I stand by what I think and it was a massive factor in the game. The referee deemed it a red and that's what it is.



'I wasn't refereeing the game, I can assure you. Other people in the crowd deemed it a red card. The talk shouldn't be about stuff like that.' 



Wigan chief executive Jonathan Jackson said in a statement on Tuesday morning: 'Whilst we appreciate that the vast majority of supporters who ran on to the pitch did so spontaneously to celebrate a famous victory, we were disappointed with the action of a minority of supporters who acted in an inappropriate manner. Player and staff safety is of paramount importance and we will conduct a full investigation.



'However, it is important to not let the actions of a few supporters detract from an incredible night at the DW Stadium. A special atmosphere was created by both sets of supporters and the match was yet another memorable day in the history of Wigan Athletic.'