Pep Guardiola has distanced Manchester City from certain fans who were heard singing heinous chants about Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away last weekend.
Charlton died at the age of 86, having spent the vast majority of his career with City’s arch rivals United, having held the position as their top goal scorer for decades before Wayne Rooney surpassed him.
With both clubs in action on Saturday last weekend – the day the tragic news came out – two fans at the Etihad were seen singing sick songs about Charlton’s death.
Later on in the week, Man City announced that both players would be suspended from attending all fixtures.
Guardiola appeared to send a similar message in his pre-Manchester derby press conference on Friday afternoon, in which he claimed such supporters ‘don’t represent us’.
Pep Guardiola has distanced Manchester City from fans suspended for singing sick chants about Sir Bobby Charlton
Man City have said the young fans are now subject of a Greater Manchester Police probe
The Manchester United and England icon sadly passed away on Saturday, aged 86
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‘They don’t represent us. Alcohol makes bad things in people. Mike Summerbee going to Old Trafford to sign the book represents us,’ claimed Guardiola at Friday’s conference.
‘We have huge respect to Manchester United and we prove it, losing or winning. We have a lot of respect, especially for an iconic figure like Sir Bobby Charlton.
‘(Sunday) we will be part of that. We send our condolences to United and English football.’
The young supporters, who cannot be named due to their age, are facing a police probe. City identified them by reviewing CCTV footage from the afternoon.
City were quick to take action after the incident arose, and condemned the ‘vile’ chant that was heard at the Etihad for the 2-1 win over Brighton.
‘Manchester City can confirm that two minors have been identified in connection with the vile chanting heard at the Etihad Stadium,’ a club statement read.
Sunday’s game promises to be a poignant event, with United once again set to pay tribute to one of their all-time great players against their oldest enemy.
United have held numerous tributes to Charlton, including a book available for fans to sign at Old Trafford, silences ahead of their recent games, and flowers and scarves have been left at the ground this week.
A number of tributes have already taken place, with scarves and flowers left at Old Trafford
A minute’s silence is set to be held before kick-off, with the strict ban brought down by the club thought to be a deterrent from any similar action taking place in the often hotly-contested derby clash.
The honours were shared between the two teams last season, with neither side yielding any points in front of their home crowd.
United will be hoping for a similar performance this time round, too, to really kickstart their season after a shaky start to 2023-24 under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have lost twice already in the Champions League – including to Galatasaray – and are only eighth in the table after winning five and losing four of their nine games so far.
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