Fans on social media poked fun at Raheem Sterling after the forward won a comical penalty during Manchester City's 6-0 Champions League demolition job of Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
The first of City's two spot-kicks - both converted by Gabriel Jesus - was awarded when Sterling fell over having stubbed his foot on the ground while trying to shoot, with nearby Shakhtar defender Mykola Matviyenko having not touched him.
Sterling told BT Sport: "I went to chip the ball and I don't know what happened next.
"I ended up on the floor and turned around. I don't think I felt contact, it was just my bad.
"I hit the floor and scuffed the floor. Apologies to the ref (Viktor Kassai) and apologies to Shakhtar."
In his post-match press conference, City boss Pep Guardiola admitted "we realised immediately it was not a penalty".
Sterling looked sheepish after the award and several disbelieving fans on social media branded it 'the worst decision ever'.
Twitter user @MrAuthorLuke posted: "Sterling trips over and the ref gives a penalty! Has to be the worst penalty decision ever!"
@KingOfKorriban said: "Worst Sterling fall since Brexit"
"Frightening how this is given," added former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock.
Guardiola agreed that the referee had got it badly wrong and said the incident highlighted the need for the video assistant referee (VAR) system to be introduced.
"We don't like to score in that situation," said Guardiola, who conceded Sterling could have told the referee at the time.
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"You know VAR and what it is - the referee must be helped because they don't want to make mistakes.
"The game is so quick, so fast these days. It would take 10 seconds for somebody to say something to the referee," he added.
