Walking into the Etihad Stadium for Wednesday’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain offered a surreal atmosphere that felt disconnected from the turbulence currently surrounding the club. Even after being found guilty of more than 100 charges related to financial breaches, the environment within the stadium remained resolutely upbeat, as if shielding itself from the intense public scrutiny and accusations of cheating that have plagued the team in recent weeks. You could be fooled into thinking nothing was wrong, despite all the criticism that has pummeled the club since it was found guilty of over 100 charges relating to financial breaches. The Premier League side has been called a cheater and a liar by many, in recent weeks. When the team was booed from pillar to post, the Etihad’s four walls felt like an oasis on Wednesday, unlike at Liverpool last weekend. The bananas were waving enthusiastically wherever you looked, even when City fell behind. In truth, a night that started with so much gusto fell a bit flat from City’s perspective.
The club has consistently maintained its innocence, choosing to appeal the verdict while framing the situation as a witch hunt. This internal narrative of resilience appears to have successfully permeated the ranks. Manager Enzo Maresca has handled challenging questions regarding the case with composure, while players, both active and retired, have remained unified in their public support of the club’s position. As one supporter told me, shouted at in a grocery store for wearing the club colors, those who love the club could only watch as its past successes were belittled and its fans became the butt of jokes – or. ⚽️ sign up for THE beautiful game by sports ⚽️. But despite the torrent of abuse from all angles, City has pleaded its innocence, appealing the guilty verdict and promising its players, staff and fans that it’s entirely innocent – arguing it’s merely the victim of a witch hunt. While players, both past and present, have toed the line, manager Enzo Maresca has brushed aside a barrage of tricky questions about the topic with a smile. Just as City has been backed by the United Arab Emirates since its takeover in 2008, PSG is backed by Qatar. The togetherness between the players, manager and the fans is almost enviable, fully dosed up on an ‘us against them’ mentality. However, were less kind – jeering the City players as they came out for the warm-up and seemingly reveling in their host’s disappointment in the defeat, the PSG faithful. Calling on everyone associated with the club to stick together and trust the ownership, the Spaniard has been a strong voice for unity since the verdict. And never will, make the problem go away, but blaming others and kicking the problem down the road won’t.
Inside the stands, the atmosphere resembled a pantomime of defiance. Rather than dwelling on potential consequences such as points deductions, transfer bans, or even the threat of relegation from the Premier League, supporters appeared to relish their role as the perceived villains of English football. A pre-match light show and a montage highlighting past achievements served as a visual reminder of the club’s history, reinforcing the collective optimism among the home crowd. Optimism, blind or otherwise, was the name of the game. It was another thinly veiled message to tell supporters not to worry.
This sense of togetherness was punctuated by a peculiar display of gallows humor: hundreds of inflatable yellow bananas floating throughout the crowd. The tradition, which dates back to the 1980s when the team was relegated to the second tier, originated from the nickname given to former striker Imre Varadi. These inflatables were out in force despite the team’s eventual 4-2 defeat, maintaining an enthusiastic presence throughout the match. And, despite the heavy 4-2 loss against PSG, there were no signs of anyone breaking rank. Fans nicknamed their then journeyman striker Imre Varadi as ‘Imre Banana’ and have been bringing their inflatables ever since, in an attempt to lighten the mood around the club at the time.
The fixture itself offered a unique backdrop, featuring two clubs historically linked by similar regulatory issues. Both Manchester City and PSG were previously charged with violating “Financial Fair Play” rules by UEFA in 2014, though both eventually navigated the consequences with relative ease. PSG manager Luis Enrique expressed a rare moment of solidarity, noting before the match that he hoped City would avoid severe sanctions from the Premier League, contrasting with the hostility the club has faced domestically. You’d think this was a club totally in tune with one another, if you didn’t know the context or hadn’t been following the news of the possible sanctions hovering over City’s head. Though, such an oddity does have meaning.
Former manager Pep Guardiola’s presence in the stands further highlighted the club’s attempt to project stability. His return to the Etihad, shortly after concluding a trophy-laden ten-year tenure, was met with adoration from fans. Guardiola has consistently urged the club’s community to remain united and trust the ownership, a message that aligns with the current internal strategy of maintaining appearances. At least publicly, that message has landed well internally. His face appearing on the big screen was naturally greeted by cheers of adoration from the stands and would normally have been a pure reason to smile.
However, the sense of an “oasis” within the stadium quickly evaporates upon exiting the Etihad. Supporters outside the ground largely decline to engage in detailed discussions regarding the legal challenges, often echoing a standard response: “Wait for the appeal.” As the legal process continues toward a conclusion months from now, the club faces a difficult road ahead. While the Champions League provides a temporary distraction, the reality of the ongoing financial case will remain a constant presence, particularly during Premier League fixtures against rivals impacted by the saga. Instead, the concourses on Wednesday were full of groups of supporters manifesting ways in which the appeal would be successful.
