Third World dic....sorry, European football's governing body Uefa is to charge Manchester City fans - because they booed the Champions League anthem.
Fans mocked Uefa after it confirmed a case had been opened against the Premier League leaders following a report from its match delegate at their 2-1 win over Spanish side Sevilla last night in the Champions League.
The chairman of the Manchester City Supporters Club (MCSC) branded Uefa “petty”, suggesting it would be better off focusing on the scandal over a £1.3 million payment that has engulfed its president, Michel Platini.
City were stunned to learn they could be punished over the booing, which has become a regular occurrence prior to Champions League games at the Etihad Stadium since the club were sanctioned for breaching Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations last year.
The Champions League anthem is played before every fixture in the competition using music adapted from British composer Handel’s Zadok the Priest and words provided by British composer Tony Britten. Zadok the Priest has also been sung at every British coronation since 1727.
Manchester City to be charged by Uefa after fans boo Champions League anthem before clash with Sevilla
European football's governing body confirms case had been opened against City following report from match delegate at City's 2-1 win over Sevilla
Making voices heard: City fans regularly boo Champions League anthem in protest at Uefa
By Ben Rumsby
22 October 2015
The Telegraph
209 Comments
Uefa has found itself a laughing stock for opening disciplinary proceedings against Manchester City after their fans booed the Champions League anthem.
Fans mocked European football’s governing body after it confirmed a case had been opened against the Premier League leaders following a report from its match delegate at their 2-1 win over Sevilla on Wednesday evening.
The chairman of the Manchester City Supporters Club (MCSC) branded Uefa “petty”, suggesting it would be better off focusing on the scandal over a £1.3 million payment that has engulfed its president, Michel Platini.
City were stunned to learn they could be punished over the booing, which has become a regular occurrence prior to Champions League games at the Etihad Stadium since the club were sanctioned for breaching Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations last year.
They declined to comment on the matter, although it is understood they will fight to defend the right of their fans to express their feelings.
Uefa was keen to stress the disciplinary case would not necessarily lead to a sanction.
The man who reported City over the booing, Icelandic Football Association president Geir Thorsteinsson, refused to discuss his reasons for doing so when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.
“I’m not allowed to speak about my reports to Uefa,” he said.
When informed of the reaction it had provoked, he added: “I cannot speak about this. Sorry, you have to respect it.”
The Champions League anthem is played before every fixture in the competition using music adapted from British composer Handel’s Zadok the Priest and words provided by British composer Tony Britten. It is also been sung at every British coronation since 1727.
City fans began booing it last season after the club were hit with a fine of £50 million – most of which was suspended – and a squad reduction of 25 to 21 for breaching FFP regulations.
Supporters believe the rules were introduced to favour European football’s established elite and prevent the likes of billionaire City owner Sheikh Mansour buying his way into that exclusive club.
Those regulations were relaxed earlier this year amid threats of legal challenges.
MCSC chairman Alan Galley said: “It’s all to do with this Financial Fair Play, isn’t it, and the fact that a lot of City fans don’t think that what Uefa did was fair. That’s where a lot of it comes from.
City fans feel Uefa should sort its own affairs out first
“A lot of City fans think that Uefa has had a cartel for years and years and years.
“All of a sudden, we find ourselves with a little bit of money and they don’t like the fact that they’re having their noses pushed out.”
Claiming some fans feel Uefa have a little bit of an axe to grind against City, he added: “It’s petty when you think about it, isn’t it, when there are people there at Uefa who are being accused of walking off with millions, that we get done for just a few fans booing.”
As well as their disgruntlement over FFP, City fans were angered last year after Uefa ordered their match at CSKA Moscow to be played behind closed doors because of the behaviour of home supporters.
A number of City fans had already paid for tickets, travel and accommodation and felt they were being unfairly punished.
Kevin de Bruyne's superb injury time strike sealed a 2-1 win for Premier League leaders Manchester City over Spanish side Sevilla at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League last night
An organised boycott of the anthem was arranged in conjunction with Bayern Munich fans, who had a similar issue over a game in Moscow, prior to a game against the Germans last December. Both sets of supporters turned their backs during the anthem.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini this week refused to criticise fans over the matter.
The Chilean was asked before the Sevilla game if the continued booing might be affecting his players in creating a negative atmosphere before games.
He said: “I think we always have in the Etihad the atmosphere we need in Champions League, Capital One Cup or Premier League.
We always feel the fans are behind the team and they always support us a lot.
“I don’t think the atmosphere is lower than what we need. It is a good atmosphere.”
Champions League: Manchester City 2-1 Sevilla highlights
Manchester City to be charged by Uefa after fans boo Champions League anthem before clash with Sevilla - Telegraph
Fans mocked Uefa after it confirmed a case had been opened against the Premier League leaders following a report from its match delegate at their 2-1 win over Spanish side Sevilla last night in the Champions League.
The chairman of the Manchester City Supporters Club (MCSC) branded Uefa “petty”, suggesting it would be better off focusing on the scandal over a £1.3 million payment that has engulfed its president, Michel Platini.
City were stunned to learn they could be punished over the booing, which has become a regular occurrence prior to Champions League games at the Etihad Stadium since the club were sanctioned for breaching Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations last year.
The Champions League anthem is played before every fixture in the competition using music adapted from British composer Handel’s Zadok the Priest and words provided by British composer Tony Britten. Zadok the Priest has also been sung at every British coronation since 1727.
Manchester City to be charged by Uefa after fans boo Champions League anthem before clash with Sevilla
European football's governing body confirms case had been opened against City following report from match delegate at City's 2-1 win over Sevilla
Making voices heard: City fans regularly boo Champions League anthem in protest at Uefa
By Ben Rumsby
22 October 2015
The Telegraph
Uefa has found itself a laughing stock for opening disciplinary proceedings against Manchester City after their fans booed the Champions League anthem.
Fans mocked European football’s governing body after it confirmed a case had been opened against the Premier League leaders following a report from its match delegate at their 2-1 win over Sevilla on Wednesday evening.
The chairman of the Manchester City Supporters Club (MCSC) branded Uefa “petty”, suggesting it would be better off focusing on the scandal over a £1.3 million payment that has engulfed its president, Michel Platini.
City were stunned to learn they could be punished over the booing, which has become a regular occurrence prior to Champions League games at the Etihad Stadium since the club were sanctioned for breaching Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations last year.
Uefa was keen to stress the disciplinary case would not necessarily lead to a sanction.
The man who reported City over the booing, Icelandic Football Association president Geir Thorsteinsson, refused to discuss his reasons for doing so when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.
“I’m not allowed to speak about my reports to Uefa,” he said.
When informed of the reaction it had provoked, he added: “I cannot speak about this. Sorry, you have to respect it.”
The Champions League anthem is played before every fixture in the competition using music adapted from British composer Handel’s Zadok the Priest and words provided by British composer Tony Britten. It is also been sung at every British coronation since 1727.
City fans began booing it last season after the club were hit with a fine of £50 million – most of which was suspended – and a squad reduction of 25 to 21 for breaching FFP regulations.
Supporters believe the rules were introduced to favour European football’s established elite and prevent the likes of billionaire City owner Sheikh Mansour buying his way into that exclusive club.
Those regulations were relaxed earlier this year amid threats of legal challenges.
MCSC chairman Alan Galley said: “It’s all to do with this Financial Fair Play, isn’t it, and the fact that a lot of City fans don’t think that what Uefa did was fair. That’s where a lot of it comes from.
City fans feel Uefa should sort its own affairs out first
“A lot of City fans think that Uefa has had a cartel for years and years and years.
“All of a sudden, we find ourselves with a little bit of money and they don’t like the fact that they’re having their noses pushed out.”
Claiming some fans feel Uefa have a little bit of an axe to grind against City, he added: “It’s petty when you think about it, isn’t it, when there are people there at Uefa who are being accused of walking off with millions, that we get done for just a few fans booing.”
As well as their disgruntlement over FFP, City fans were angered last year after Uefa ordered their match at CSKA Moscow to be played behind closed doors because of the behaviour of home supporters.
A number of City fans had already paid for tickets, travel and accommodation and felt they were being unfairly punished.
Kevin de Bruyne's superb injury time strike sealed a 2-1 win for Premier League leaders Manchester City over Spanish side Sevilla at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League last night
An organised boycott of the anthem was arranged in conjunction with Bayern Munich fans, who had a similar issue over a game in Moscow, prior to a game against the Germans last December. Both sets of supporters turned their backs during the anthem.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini this week refused to criticise fans over the matter.
The Chilean was asked before the Sevilla game if the continued booing might be affecting his players in creating a negative atmosphere before games.
He said: “I think we always have in the Etihad the atmosphere we need in Champions League, Capital One Cup or Premier League.
We always feel the fans are behind the team and they always support us a lot.
“I don’t think the atmosphere is lower than what we need. It is a good atmosphere.”
Champions League: Manchester City 2-1 Sevilla highlights
Manchester City to be charged by Uefa after fans boo Champions League anthem before clash with Sevilla - Telegraph
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