Man City apologise to the family of Sir Bobby Charlton after a video emerged of their fans singing a vile chant about the Manchester United legend.
The Manchester United and England icon passed away on Saturday morning, leaving the football world in mourning.
However, a number of City fans showed their true colours, after some were heard singing a chant mocking Charlton’s death during their 2-1 win over Brighton. A video has done the rounds on social media shows a number of Blues chanting ‘Bobby’s in a box’ on the concourse.
Manchester City fans yesterday mocking Man UTD legend Bobby Charlton after he passed away 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/TwbNT5rxY1
— Neo 🇶🇦 (@UTDNE0) October 22, 2023
As a result, City have apologised to Charlton’s family. They are also appealing for further information and vowing to issue banning orders to any offenders.
The statement read (via Daily Mail): “Manchester City FC are extremely disappointed to have learned of reports of offensive chanting from a small number of individuals about Sir Bobby Charlton in some of the concourses of the Etihad Stadium during half time of yesterday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion.
“The club condemns these chants in the strongest terms, and apologises unreservedly to the family and friends of Sir Bobby, and to all those at Manchester United.
“On this day of all days, when the stadium stood to pay tribute to our own legend in Francis Lee, Manchester City supporters should understand and appreciate as keenly as anyone the need for respect in our game.
“Our security team are studying CCTV footage of the concourse areas. We are thankful to those who have already come forward to report this matter, and we continue to appeal for any information that can help us identify the individuals involved, so that we can take the appropriate action to issue banning orders.
“Fans who see or hear abusive behaviour are encouraged to text 0770 0151 894 to make our dedicated security team aware of what they have witnessed.”
None of this stopped City manager Pep Guardiola showing respect to the late Charlton.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss revealed that his current club will be making a tribute next week when they come to Old Trafford for the derby.
“When he retired, I was born so I saw the highlights,” Guardiola said, as per the Manchester Evening News. “I am sorry to the Manchester United family, to his family and England,’ Pep told the club’s website.
“These types of players and personalities represent English football like no-one else can do it.
“Condolences from us for his family especially. Next week when we go there (to Old Trafford), we will be present to make a tribute.
“I love this country for many things but one of the things is how they take care of the legends.
“They are part of the club and they travel. Sir Bobby Charlton represented United and English football unlike anyone else.”
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When are sports fans gonna realise that fanaticism should never supercede respect and humaneness especially during times of loss, sickness and human tragedy, the bottom line is he was a English legend and won the world cup for mancity and Liverpool supporters allso