Man City fans go bananas in show of defiance following guilty verdict
The stands were awash with yellow throughout Saturday’s clash with Ipswich as the revival of a craze from the 1980s and 90s gathered momentum.
Manchester City fans continued to show their defiance amid the club’s crisis with inflatable bananas out in force at the Etihad Stadium.
The stands were awash with yellow throughout Saturday’s clash with Ipswich as the revival of a craze from the 1980s and 90s gathered momentum.
Supporters brought back the blow-up fruit for last weekend’s victory at Liverpool to lift the mood following the damning verdict against the club from an independent commission.
Yet what started as a light-hearted throwback to an altogether different era has quickly come to symbolise the club’s defiance. City have appealed against a judgement which found them guilty of serious financial irregularities and fans are keen to demonstrate their loyalty.
But the bananas were not the only statement supporters wanted to make. They also channelled the spirit of one of Manchester’s most famous fictional characters in response to some of the media commentary directed at them since the verdict.
City players and fans were accused of arrogance and lacking humility as they celebrated their 3-0 win at Anfield last Sunday.
Before kick-off, a banner depicting Frank Gallagher from ‘Shameless’ sticking up two fingers while wearing a City hat and scarf was unfurled in the South Stand.
Organisers 1894 Group said the display was intended to reinforce supporters’ right to respond to the situation in their own way, without being told how to behave by outside commentators.
A statement from the group said many supporters questioned the impartiality of the process and were reluctant to reach conclusions before the appeal, citing a previous ruling that was overturned.
The group also criticised the volume of media coverage surrounding the “supposedly private hearing” and added: “This is really why the City fans are not rushing to conclusions and today’s display reflects the fact we don’t need anyone telling (us) what to do or how to feel.”
The statement added the group will be holding a public forum with The Citizens Trust after the appeal result is known to gauge supporters’ feelings.