Manchester City’s players are putting their hands in their pockets after one of the most humbling nights in the club’s European history.
The City squad will refund ticket costs for all 374 supporters who travelled to Norway to witness Tuesday’s shock 3-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Bodø/Glimt, a result that left Pep Guardiola searching for answers and fans freezing in the Arctic Circle.
City arrived desperate for a response after losing the Manchester derby 2-0 to United. Instead, they delivered another limp display, falling 3-0 down before Rayan Cherki briefly sparked hope on the hour.
Any chance of a comeback vanished moments later when Rodri was sent off, sealing a miserable night.
With away tickets priced at roughly £25, the players will
collectively reimburse £9,357 to those who made the journey north of the Arctic Circle.
In a statement released by the club’s captains group — Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland — the squad acknowledged the sacrifice made by travelling supporters.
“Our supporters mean everything to us,” the statement read.
“We know the sacrifice fans make travelling across the world to support us. Standing with us in freezing conditions on a difficult night — covering the ticket cost is the least we can do.”
The gesture has been widely praised, including by the Official Supporters’ Club, especially as there were only limited calls from fans for refunds.
The goodwill comes at a time when results are spiralling. City have won just twice in their last seven matches, both coming in domestic cup competitions. In the league, they’ve taken only three points from their last four games, starting with a New Year’s Day draw at Sunderland.
The defeat to Bodø/Glimt now leaves City needing a win in their final group match against Galatasaray to secure a top-eight Champions League finish.
Erling Haaland didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Embarrassing,” he told TNT Sports. “Bodø played incredible football and deserved it. All I can say is sorry.”
City return to action against Wolves on Saturday before hosting Galatasaray at the Etihad — this time hoping their football, not just their apologies, speaks loudest.
