City fans boo Premier League anthem at Etihad in first home game since guilty verdict

Manchester City fans booed the Premier League anthem at the Etihad Stadium ahead of their home clash against Ipswich Town on Saturday, the club’s first top-flight home fixture since a verdict of guilty was returned on 114 financial charges.

The hostile reception to the pre-match music was followed by a series of chants from the home end, beginning with “Stockport away ole ole ole” before shifting to “City, City, City”. Supporters also directed a chant at their visitors, adapting the refrain to “Ipswich ole ole ole” and then “you are going down with the City”.

On the pitch, City made a bright start when Phil Foden, returning to the starting XI, converted after a sharp run and cross from Jeremy Doku. The lead lasted only two minutes, however, with Daizen Maeda pulling Ipswich level.

It has been an uneven return to domestic football for Pep Guardiola’s side following the extended international break and the verdict. City beat Liverpool 3-0 away last weekend but suffered a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League earlier in the week.

The reaction from the stands reflects the tension surrounding the club as it awaits the full consequences of the Premier League’s independent commission ruling on the financial charges, a case that has hung over City for several years.