A definitive verdict has emerged over Enzo Fernandez’s push on referee Sven Jablonski during Wednesday’s Champions League encounter between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Fernandez featured for most of the match before making way for Nico O’Reilly in stoppage time.
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The Argentina international could do little to stop City from suffering a 4-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
Under the guidance of their world-class manager Luis Enrique, PSG delivered an outstanding first-half display, finding the net three times before the break.
Ballon d’Or hopefuls Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all scored as the reigning European champions threatened to overwhelm their hosts in Manchester.
Did Enzo just push the referee on purpose? pic.twitter.com/kJxO5vio6e
— ☆ (@LFC_Sam__) October 14, 2026
Erling Haaland struck twice after the interval to give City something to celebrate, while former manager Pep Guardiola watched the action from the stands.
However, Maghnes Akliouche added PSG’s fourth goal, capping a disappointing night for Enzo Maresca and his team.
City could have endured an even more difficult evening had referee Jablonski decided to take action after Fernandez knocked him to the ground.
The unusual incident occurred when Jablonski accidentally moved into the path of a pass from a City player intended for Fernandez. The midfielder responded by pushing the official to the ground. Watch the bizarre moment below:
Fernandez escaped without punishment, with Jablonski seemingly believing the contact was accidental.
However, former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has offered a different assessment after watching the footage.
Hackett believes Fernandez intentionally pushed the referee ‘with force’ and should have received a straight red card. He wrote on X:
“This is a deliberate push. With a degree of force. Should have seen red.”
Fernandez is unlikely to receive retrospective punishment after avoiding both a yellow and red card during the game.
Nevertheless, Hackett’s comments suggest that rival supporters are not the only ones questioning why the Argentine escaped an on-field review.
Fernandez joined City from Chelsea towards the end of the summer transfer window in a deal worth £125 million, matching the British transfer record.
The 25-year-old has made an encouraging start to his career at the Etihad, contributing to his new club’s perfect opening to the 2026-27 Premier League season.
City have secured victories in all six of their league matches so far, with their latest success coming in a convincing 3-0 away win against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
The result was particularly striking given the circumstances surrounding the fixture.
It was City’s first match since an independent commission found the club guilty of all 115 charges concerning serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.
The Manchester club have officially appealed the decision, but reports now suggest that their possible punishment from UEFA in relation to the Champions League, should the appeal fail, has been ‘leaked’.
