Sport

Klopp apologises to Pep as Liverpool condemns throwing coins and ‘vile chants’

It was never going to be a friendly fixture.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 17th October 2022

Jurgen Klopp has apologised to Pep Guardiola after Liverpool fans reportedly threw coins at him during Manchester City’s clash on Merseyside this Sunday.

The Spaniard was the victim of numerous projectiles during the game, particularly in the second half after Phil Foden‘s opener was eventually ruled out by VAR.

Pep, clearly dismayed with the decision (disallowed for a foul committed by Haaland in the build-up), decided to take on the Anfield crowd:

It is following this interaction that coins are said to have been thrown in the City manager’s direction though he told BBC Radio 5 Live “the crowd tried but they didn’t touch me,” quipping, “maybe next time they will be better.”

This, of course, is not the only time such circumstances have happened; back in 2018, the City team bus was pelted with coins, bottles and other projectiles as it arrived at the ground for their Champions League match.

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Informed by journalists after the match, Klopp apologised for the behaviour and insisted “it never should happen, never.”

Following the reports, Liverpool also issued a statement condemning the behaviour of away fans who were also accused of unacceptable behaviour.

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As well as being said to have uttered a number of “vile chants” relating to the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters, sections of the away stand were also said to have been vandalised with related graffiti.

The club are now said to be investigating both incidents and have also promised “lifetime bans” for anyone found guilty of throwing coins or any other missiles.

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Liverpool’s 1-0 win brought an end to Manchester City’s unbeaten run and also saw their star striker Erling Haaland fail to score for the first time in seven consecutive games.

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The Sky Blues are still second in the Premier League on 23 points while Liverpool are sat in eighth with just three wins in their opening nine games.

Featured Image — @pepteam (via Instagram)

Sport

10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.

The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.

Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.

As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.

On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.

With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.

Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.

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“On occasions when enforcement is needed, those who are intent on causing harm will have to answer for their actions.”

Featured Image – GMP

Sport

Pep Guardiola says he won’t manage another club after Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Pep Guardiola has claimed he won’t manage another team after his tenure at Manchester City is up, so enjoy the ride whilst you can, Blues.

One of the most successful managers in history, Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the greatest managers to have ever lived but it looks like the 53-year-old is now starting to think about life after football – or at least after Man City.

The Catalan coach was recently speaking on Spanish chef Dani García’s Desmontadito podcast discussing his career and life beyond the beautiful game.

Guardiola recently extended his stay at the Eithad with a new two-year contract but it did look like he was ramping up to leave until the 11th hour and it now seems as though his time at City will be his last in the world of club football.

When asked about his future by his fellow compatriot, Pep said: “I’m going to stop. I am not going to join another team, I’m not going to leave to go to another country. I won’t have the energy. For now, I’m still here but to think about starting again, the whole process of training – no, no.”

Energy has been a defining factor for so many managers of late, with long-time rival Jürgen Klopp having departed Liverpool FC as a result of the fatigue caused by the job.

With countless cups, six Premier League titles and a trio of Champions League trophies to his name, Pep has pretty much won everything there is to win, which will no doubt factor into his eventual decision.

Plus, we’ve already seen the mental toll of competing at the top level can take following some concerning scenes involving the man himself last month.

That being said, Pep did go on to suggest that however long he stays in the sport after his time in Manchester is all said and done, his next role would likely be in international football as leading a country to major silverware is the one thing he hasn’t achieved just yet.

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City have managed to get points back on the board in their last two games, notching a much-needed 3-0 against Nottingham Forest before only managing to scrape a draw against Crystal Palace this past weekend, but with a derby approaching this Sunday, all eyes are on Manchester.

With the title race already looking like a nigh on an insurmountable task given the points they’ve already drooped (even with Liverpool’s recent slip-up), Pep’s stress and energy are already pushed to their limits as it is.

You might only get a couple more years with the tactical genius, City fans, so make the most of it.

You can watch Pep Guardiola’s full interview with Dani García down below – though it is in Spanish so you will need subtitles on:

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Featured Images — football.ua (via Wikimedia Commons)

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