Man City News: You will all see something different at Ethihad this weekend
Pep Guardiola is into his ninth season at Manchester City but is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to commit to another deal.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: A general view inside the stadium as a flag of Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City is seen prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Manchester City fans will put their cards firmly on the table this weekend – or, more accurately, a banner.
Blues fans in the South Stand at the Etihad are known for their displays ahead of big games, as well as campaigning for issues close to their hearts. And on Saturday, they have clubbed together to raise thousands to send a message to manager Pep Guardiola about his future.
Guardiola is out of contract in the summer and has suggested he may not sign another deal. The expectation is that he will walk away from his glittering spell at the Etihad, but he has also left the door open to staying if he senses the motivation among his squad remains strong.
When Guardiola has signed previous extensions, the decision has been made in the Autumn and Winter – around the November international break – so the manager may be clearer about his future a few months into the new campaign.
And fans are keen to help him make his mind up, showing him that they are desperate for the boss to remain as long as possible. The 1894 Group who organise the Etihad displays, in connection with the 93:20 Podcast, have raised more than £1,000 in just 24 hours to create a banner that will be displayed before Saturday’s Premier League fixture with Fulham.
Manchester City fans fly a flag of Pep Guardiola smoking a cigar.
The banner was designed and made in just a few days and will read: ‘Pep Guardiola, we want you to stay’ in his native Catalan tongue. Fans overwhelmingly voted for the message to be printed in Catalan as a mark of respect to Guardiola, and hope the banner can remain on show throughout the game in order for the manager to definitely get the message of their appreciation towards him as he deliberates on his future.
A spokesperson for The 93:20 Podcast said: “In sporting terms Pep has done for City what Johann Cruyff did for Barcelona. Every single supporter I know is desperate for him to stay and continue to build on his legacy at the club. We chant his name every game and now we want him to know everyone in Etihad is desperate for him to stay beyond this season.”
A spokesperson for 1894 Group added: “We were approached by 9320 on this and we think it’s a great idea which will get the message directly to him.”
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has criticized current referees in the league after watching Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
Arsenal have been the only team this season to have had two players sent off for kicking the ball away. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard were both sent off after kicking the ball away in the Gunners games against Brighton and Manchester City.Best video game consoles
Mikel Arteta has been furious with the refereeing this season, and even suggested that he will tell his players to play without the ball to avoid being booked.
The most recent incident against Arsenal was on Saturday, when the referee failed to send off Wilfried Ndidi after he kicked the ball away after a foul, delaying the restart.
Dermot Gallagher defended his colleague for that decision:
“He doesn’t stop or delay the restart. There’s no one there who can possibly take a free-kick. Saka’s on the floor, can’t take it. There’s not an Arsenal player anywhere near it. If you want players yellow carded for that we’re going to have a lot of players sat in the stands this season.”
This submission by Gallagher was ridiculous because the incident was clearly similar to what Trossard got sent off for against Man City.
What Mark Clattenburg said about Premier League referees
Clattenburg was on the panel during the Arsenal game on Tuesday night. He praised the work of Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic who was in charge of the game.
Vincic was the referee in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. He showed why he was selected for that final with an impressive refereeing display, which Mark Clattenburg praised.
“He’s got the respect of the players, he’s experienced. I think a lot of the Premier League referees can watch this tonight to see how they can find balance. He’s got the authority, and if you get the respect of the players, it makes your life easier on the field of play.” He said on Amazon Prime’s coverage of the game.
Former Premier League referee breaks down Calafiori handball decision
In the 77th minute of the game, PSG appealed for a penalty after the ball came off Riccardo Calafiori’s hand in the penalty box. The referee did not give the penalty, and it was cleared by VAR.
Mark Clattenburg analysed and explained why it was not a penalty:
“It’s interesting because it’s come off his teammate. Because it’s come off his teammate, it’s hit his arm. He doesn’t mean to handle the ball. His arm is outstretched, but I doubt – because it’s come off his own teammate – that this will result in a penalty kick. “
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