Reason why Man City fans have bananas in first game after 115 charges confirmed
Football fans are used to seeing a sea of blue shirts in the stand when Manchester City are playing - but on Sunday (11 October), there was a wave of yellow instead.
That's because supporters have headed to Anfield with inflatable bananas in what seems to be a show of defiance, as it's the club's first game since it was found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges relating to financial fair play rules.
And it turns out there is an interesting reason why Cityzens have opted to arm themselves with this unusual prop.
Enzo Maresca's squad are back on the pitch today for the first time since the news broke that the Premier League had found the club guilty of dozens of charges.
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City, who has launched an appeal against the decision and vehemently deny any wrongdoing, could face a number of brutal punishments.
Maresca addressed the scandal for the first time on Friday (9 October) ahead of the team's clash against Liverpool, saying he has 'complete trust' in the club.
"Personally, I'm very calm to be honest," the 46-year-old said. "The club has been quite clear. We trust completely the club.
"We understand the noise, but the focus for us is just what we can control and we can control just the football side."
Outside Anfield, there was tons of merch on sale referencing the more than 100 charges, which City fans have no doubt been bracing for.
In what seems to be a bid to counteract this, hundreds of Blues have turned up to the stadium with inflatable bananas, and a lot of people don't know why.
Taking to social media, one person wrote: "Why are the Man City fans holding giant bananas?"
Another teased: "Bananas are backkkkk!"
A third commented: "City fans such tourists. You can see to them its all about a fun day out, no real passion. They're all having a laugh with those bananas."
A fourth added: "My love for this club is pure. Man City fans bringing bananas to Anfield."
And a fifth chimed in saying: "City fans be like, 'We know we cheated but we’re gonna come to Anfield and wave bananas around'."
Why are City fans armed with inflatable bananas?
It is believed that City supporters are referencing the nickname that supporters previously gave to legendary striker Imre Varadi, back in 1987.
They dubbed the player, now 67, 'Imre Banana' in a chant.
According to City's website, this marked the 'start of an inflatable craze that put a much needed smile back on the face of football in England'.
"All this was seemingly down to a few City fans interpretation of Varadi’s name - at least as legend has it - and, years later, he admitted it was something he was extremely proud to have been connected to," it explains.
Varadi took the nickname in his stride and later launched his own business, Imre Banana, which produces inflatable bananas that sport his name. You can purchase one for £10, as well as t-shirts and badges.
It is believed that a fan named Frank Newton is responsible for starting this wacky trend, as he turned up to Maine Road ahead of a match against Plymouth Argyle with a five-foot blow-up banana.
He is said to have borrowed his from a pal, rather than bulk-ordering them online like these lot probably have.
Blow-up bananas have since been adopted by City fans as a lighthearted symbol of their support for the club, and it seems they are now being repurposed to put on a show of solidarity.
Dante Friend, who handed out some inflatables to fans outside Anfield before the game kicked off, told The Sun: "A guy called Frank Newton took an inflatable banana to the next game, and then everyone started doing it.
"Most of the fans were having a laugh. We were s**t, we were in Division Two.
"I think, every now and then, when it’s fan-led and not club-led, [bringing back the bananas] can be really good. It’ll be a laugh."
City's CEO Ferran Soriano recently released a video insisting the Premier League case was 'based on a single false accusation' - but all fans could focus on was him seemingly not blinking during the more than three minute clip.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Viral, Football
Olivia Burke