Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola questions Raheem Sterling red card vs Bournemouth: 'We cannot celebrate with the fans, tell me the reason why'

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Pep Guardiola was left reeling by the second yellow card handed out to Raheem Sterling after he celebrated in front of the crowd following his dramatic winning goal against Bournemouth.

The England international sealed a 2-1 win in the 97th minute and immediately went to celebrate with the travelling supporters. Having already been cautioned, Sterling was given his marching orders by Mike Dean, which incurs a one-game suspension.

With emotions running high, Guardiola made it clear that he does not agree with the regulations and questioned whether the rule-makers of English football would prefer there to be no fans in stadiums at all.

Raheem Sterling looked shocked after being shown a red card by referee Mike Dean

Sterling was squashed between his team-mates and Manchester City fans after scoring

Manchester City fans spilled onto the pitch after seeing Sterling seal a dramatic victory

He told Sky Sports: 'We cannot celebrate with the fans, tell me the reason why. Maybe we play without fans. I don't understand. Maybe someone can call me and explain to me why. I don't understand why. 

'He went there to celebrate, to come back, so I don't know what happened. So I would like to know because Raj (Sterling) cannot play against Liverpool. '

Police and stewards struggled to maintain order as fans encroached onto the playing field

There was agreement in the Sky Sports studio with former professional Jamie Redknapp saying the rule as it current stands only serves to 'take joy out of the game'.

Redknapp: 'To score the winning goal, it's that incredible rush, you feel like you can fight the world. What we trying to do, take the joy out of the game, it's not for me.' 

What makes the situation even more unclear is that Sterling did not appear to jump into the crowd but was pushed closer by his on-rushing team-mates. The celebrating fans also spilled onto the pitch and police officers struggled to maintain order.

The FA does not allow appeals on sending offs via two bookable offences meaning Sterling will miss Manchester City's next Premier League against Liverpool. 

Sterling sealed the three points against Bournemouth with virtually the last kick of the match