UEFA change rules for Blues’ boo boys
SUPPORTERS WILL BE ABLE TO JEER EUROPEAN ANTHEM
Together we have to make these European nights special and filled with passion Pep Guardiola
CITY fans are free to boo the Champions League anthem after UEFA relaxed its rules.
But that could see them heading for a run-in with Pep Guardiola, who is determined to create a love affair between the club and Europe’s premier competition.
City supporters have made it a recent tradition to jeer the anthem in protest against a series of sanctions imposed on them by UEFA including Financial Fair Play.
They were reported for booing ahead of a game against Sevilla in 2015 under Article 16 of UEFA’s regulations, which refers to the “the disruption of national or competition anthems.”
No action was taken on that occasion and fans have continued to be vocal in their dissent.
But in a latest update to disciplinary regulations there is no reference to competition anthems.
While it did little to deter fans, it does remove any chance of UEFA clamping down on them this season.
Guardiola has already made it clear that he wants City to embrace a competition he won three times as a player and manager with Barcelona.
He addressed their uneasy relationship with European football’s governing body repeatedly last season, saying: “I was not here, I don’t know what happened, but they must forget what happened in the past.”
He added: “Manchester City doesn’t have a very long history of success in this competition and we want to change that.
“If we are to be successful it means everyone playing their part – the coaches, the players and – very importantly – the spectators. Together we have to make these European nights special and filled with passion. We have to be loud and proud and make a statement.
“We have to make the Etihad Stadium the place from where we begin to make UEFA Champions League history.”
City fans’ grievance with UEFA dates back to 2012 when Porto were fined 20,000 Euros after supporters racially abused Mario Balotelli.
Just weeks later City were fined 30,000 Euros for returning to the pitch after half-time “up to 60 seconds” later than due.
They were fined £49m for breaching FFP regulations in 2014 and had restrictions placed on their Champions League squad. Fans were further infuriated when a supposed behindclosed-doors match at CSKA Moscow ended up with hundreds of home supporters getting into the ground while City’s travelling followers were locked out.