Manuel Pellegrini says Man City fans are entitled to express an opinion
Friday 23 October 2015 16:17, UK
Manager Manuel Pellegrini has defended Manchester City fans over the booing of the Champions League anthem.
City are the subject of UEFA disciplinary proceedings after fans shouted down the anthem ahead of Wednesday's win over Sevilla at the Etihad.
Disruption of national or competition anthems is deemed 'inappropriate behaviour' and a club can be liable under article 16 of UEFA's disciplinary regulations.
And UEFA is compelled to consider the matter after its match delegate included mention of the incident in his report.
It will be dealt with by UEFA's disciplinary committee on November 19 and the club could face a charge, although Sky Sports understands they are unlikely to be punished too severely.
City fans are unhappy with UEFA because they ordered a match at CSKA Moscow last season be played behind closed doors, due to poor behaviour by fans of the Russian club, despite the fact City supporters had already paid for travel and accommodation.
And Pellegrini thinks that fans have a right to peacefully make their feelings known, in the same way they are allowed to boo players or managers.
"I think that everyone has the right to express what they feel, with order, with respect," he said. "I don't know why UEFA thinks this about our fans, but I think it's exactly the same for the manager, or the players, or the referee.
"They pay for their ticket and with respect they can express what they feel."
City fans are incredulous about the proceedings and Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Supporters Club, told Sky Sports: "I honestly thought it was a wind-up, I thought it was a joke. UEFA seem to want to target Manchester City for some reason.
"This whole booing thing didn't just happen on Wednesday night. We've been booing this UEFA anthem since the day after that game in Moscow, so that's October 2014."
