Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca issued a response to FC Porto boss Francesco Farioli following their feisty UEFA Champions League clash this week.
Ruben Dias: Manchester City's new club captain
More Videos
Manchester City ensured there would be no debut slip-up in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign, as they got the Enzo Maresca era off to the perfect start in European competition.
Despite a testing 90 minutes that featured numerous hotly-contested moments with their Portuguese opponents, it was City who came out on top, showcasing defensive strength, midfield combativeness, and a clinical edge in front of goal.
At the very forefront of that goalscoring output was Erling Haaland once again, as the Norwegian scored twice in the second-half to take his European tally to 59 goals in 59 Champions League appearances.
And while much of the attention was placed on Haaland - who now stands as Manchester City's third-highest all-time leading goalscorer behind only Eric Brook and Sergio Aguero - there was plenty to be said about a half-time clash between the two teams.
Manchester City have seen a change in their all-time leading goalscorer ranking after Erling Haaland's brace in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.cityxtra.co.ukErling Haaland Climbs All-Time Leading Man City Goalscorer Ranking After FC Porto Brace
Manchester City have seen a change in their all-time leading goalscorer ranking after Erling Haaland's brace in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
"How many times" - Maresca hits back at Farioli
According to MailSport's Jack Gaughan, Marcus Bettinelli - Manchester City's third-choice goalkeeper - was allegedly pushed by FC Porto officials in the Estádio do Dragão tunnel at half-time, sparking a brief brawl.
During those moments, it is further highlighted that City captain Ruben Dias nudged opposition manager Francesco Farioli, while eyewitnesses claim security had to separate players and referee Szymon Marciniak also intervened.
Manchester City got off the mark in their first European venture of the campaign as an Erling Haaland brace headlined a hard fought away win over Porto.
cityxtra.co.uk Five Things Learned: Porto 0-2 Man City (UEFA Champions League) Manchester City got off the mark in their first European venture of the campaign as an Erling Haaland brace headlined a hard fought away win over Porto.
Speaking after the victory in Porto on Tuesday night, Enzo Maresca was made aware of eyewitnesses noticing Dias appearing to place his hand on a coach within the FC Porto backroom staff team.
The Italian manager of Manchester City was asked whether he may hold any concerns about his side's behaviour in such moments of matches, or whether any further punishment could now be handed to the club.
"Anyway... You can ask what you want, but how many times did you see me or my bench or the guys that work with me stand up from the bench? Zero. For 95 minutes. How many times did you see their bench," Maresca hit back.
What could come next for Man City as a result?
Manchester City will now wait to see whether they will be punished by UEFA after the half-time tunnel fracas in Porto, and now whether the incident is included as part of the referee's official match report and the same of the UEFA delegate in attendance.
Should there be any further action taken, either or both FC Porto and Manchester City could face fines, while players mentioned or involved could face competition match suspensions should any offences have been committed.
However, it remains a possibility that the incident could be left out of any report entirely.