Pep Guardiola & Jurgen Klopp respond as Hillsborough silence broken by Man City fans ahead of Liverpool game

The unsavoury incident occurred just before the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Liverpool.
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Pep Guardiola has said the Manchester City fans who failed to mark the minute’s silence in honour of the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster on Saturday, ‘don’t represent’ who the club ‘want to be’.

The regrettable incident occurred before City’s FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool, which the Reds won 3-2 and will now play either Crystal Palace or Chelsea in next month’s final.

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Friday marked 33 years to the day since the Hillsborough Disaster, when 97 people tragically lost their lives, and ahead of the semi-final between City and Liverpool, supporters at Wembley were asked to observe a minute’s silence in memory of those who passed away.

A minority of Manchester City fans failed to remain silent at Wembley to mark the Hillsborough anniversary. Credit: Getty.A minority of Manchester City fans failed to remain silent at Wembley to mark the Hillsborough anniversary. Credit: Getty.
A minority of Manchester City fans failed to remain silent at Wembley to mark the Hillsborough anniversary. Credit: Getty.

However, a vocal minority among the City supporters continued to chant and sing after Michael Oliver’s whistle, which eventually prompted Liverpool fans to respond by booing.

After the incident, the club apologised via a statement which read: "Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before today’s game. The Club sincerely apologises to all those connected with Liverpool Football Club."

Pep Guardiola apologised in Sunday’s post-match press conference for the actions of a few Manchester City fans. Credit: Getty.Pep Guardiola apologised in Sunday’s post-match press conference for the actions of a few Manchester City fans. Credit: Getty.
Pep Guardiola apologised in Sunday’s post-match press conference for the actions of a few Manchester City fans. Credit: Getty.

That sentiment was echoed after the game by Guardiola, who said the words ‘reflect who we are’.

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“We can only apologise,” the Catalan said in the post-match press conference. “It doesn’t represent who we are or who we want to be.

“We’re alongside Liverpool Football Club after this incredible tragedy. I think the statement reflects perfectly who we are.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he accepted the club’s apology and acknowledged it was only a handful of supporters who behaved inappropriately.

“I never thought this is Manchester City,” he replied to a question. “Some people didn’t understand the situation and that is not nice. It felt really wrong in that moment but that is nothing to do with City and of course we accept their apology.”