Man City to continue eight-year FA Cup boycott in Huddersfield third round clash
Manchester City will continue their boycott of Emirates sleeve patches when they kick-off their defence of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola's side are being heavily backed to progress against Championship side Huddersfield Town, who they host at 2pm on Sunday afternoon. And according to the Daily Mail, in-keeping with policy ever since the 2015/16 campaign, they will underline their loyalty to club sponsor Etihad.
The company is viewed as a direct rival in the aviation industry to Emirates. And with the latter the main sponsors of England's oldest domestic cup competition, City have long declined to wear the customary rectangular red patches and competition logo on their sleeves.
Indeed, in last season's final against Manchester United, that City won 2-1 thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's double which included a goal inside 13 seconds, it was only the Red Devils that wore the branding. And three years previously the Citizens even aimed a dig at Emirates in their 6-0 win over Watford.
The club changing the wording of their front-of-shirt sponsor from 'Etihad Airways' to 'Choose Etihad'. But there are certain notions they can't avoid, with the Emirates ribbons attached to the famous trophy on the two occasions City have lifted it under Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola went back on his word after blocking last-ditch Barcelona transfer
And on Friday, the Spanish boss faced the media in his pre-match press conference. But as he revealed that midfielder Rodri may not be available following a family bereavement, he did so amid a backdrop of Emirates signs.
Manchester City won the FA Cup last season (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who will win the FA Cup? Comment below.
It remains to be seen whether Erling Haaland will finally be able to return from a foot injury, but regardless, the treble winners aren't expected to have problems with a side 21st in the second tier. Since winning the FIFA Club World Cup, Guardiola's team have returned to form in the Premier League with back-to-back wins over Everton and Sheffield United.
The decision to televise Sunday's game though has not been well received by supporters of lower league clubs. The authorities have been accused of favouring the more prestigious sides and denying others much-needed TV money.
The last time the two sides met at the Etihad, City won 6-1 en route to the 2018/19 Premier League title. In the reverse fixture later that season, Guardiola's team prevailed 3-0.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
