“What I said was that the move was top and you can’t change the chairman’s decision because it’s all for the team’s benefit,” explains Andy Dawson.

With the score still goalless after the 20-minute mark, City were incensed when home defender Neto Borges did not see red in the game’s big talking point after seemingly bundling over Joao Pedro when he was sent clear after getting on the wrong side of his opponent.

Dawson said: “Listen, I am not going to comment on the ref. I haven’t seen it back. The lad said it was a foul, but I can’t comment on that.