​Manchester City pledge to ban fans involved in offensive chants against Sir Bobby Charlton

Manchester City has taken a strong stance against the offensive chants aimed at Sir Bobby Charlton, vowing to issue lifetime bans to the perpetrators. The club swiftly condemned the disgraceful behavior following reports of derogatory songs being sung about the late Manchester United legend during City's 2-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday.

Sir Bobby Charlton, the English World Cup winner and iconic figure of Manchester United, passed away early on Saturday at the age of 86, after battling dementia for several years. In response to the unsavory chants, City has urged their fans to come forward with any information that could aid the identification of those responsible.

A statement from the club expressed deep disappointment and extended an unreserved apology to Sir Bobby's family and friends, as well as to everyone associated with Manchester United. City emphasized the importance of respect in the game, especially on a day when the stadium stood in honor of their own legend, Francis Lee. The security team is reviewing CCTV footage, and the club is grateful to those who have already stepped forward to report the incident.


City encouraged fans to report any abusive behavior through a dedicated security contact and assured that they are actively seeking to identify the individuals involved to impose appropriate banning orders. The club is set to face Manchester United in the upcoming derby at Old Trafford on Sunday, and manager Pep Guardiola reiterated the need to pay homage to legends such as Sir Bobby Charlton.

Expressing his admiration for how the country cherishes its footballing greats, Guardiola emphasized the significance of figures like Sir Bobby, who represent the club beyond mere titles. The manager conveyed his condolences to Sir Bobby's family, highlighting the indelible impact the footballing legend had on the sport and the community.