Why did Manchester City fans bring 'bananas' to Anfield?
Manchester City supporters brandish giant banana props at Anfield as club faces financial scandal, sparking fresh on-field tensions in Premier League clash
Source: Sinar Harian · October 12, 2026 at 10:32 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —
Manchester City supporters brandish giant banana props at Anfield as club faces financial scandal, sparking fresh on-field tensions in Premier League clash
Market Impact
Manchester City fans ignited a storm of symbolism and controversy by carrying oversized banana props into Anfield on Sunday, as their club grappled with a financial scandal that threatens its Premier League status and recent trophies. The display—rooted in a decades-old tradition of defiant humor—came as Liverpool supporters hurled taunts and financial jibes at City’s star striker Erling Haaland and manager Pep Guardiola, while outside the stadium, rival fans exchanged heated exchanges before kickoff.
The banana tradition traces back to the 1987/88 season, when Manchester City’s relegation to England’s second division sparked fan frustration. Frank Newton, a supporter, became the first to bring a fake banana to Maine Road Stadium during a match against Plymouth Argyle, mocking the club’s struggles.
The symbol gained traction after Imre Varadi, City’s Hungarian striker who scored 31 goals in 81 appearances, was nicknamed "Imre Banana" by fans—a moniker that evolved into a cultural touchstone. By Boxing Day 1987, around 10,000 City supporters reportedly carried bananas to a match against Stoke City, turning the fruit into a nostalgic emblem during a dark period for English football marred by hooliganism and crumbling stadiums.
This weekend’s revival of the banana props carried deeper weight, coinciding with an independent tribunal’s ruling that found Manchester City guilty on 114 of 115 financial fair play charges related to breaches of Premier League regulations. The verdict—delivered last month—hangs over the club like a sword, with potential penalties including relegation to the Championship, points deductions, or even the stripping of recent titles, depending on the final sanctions.
City has already filed an appeal, though the process could drag on for months, leaving the club’s future in limbo.
Liverpool’s supporters seized the moment to amplify their rivals’ distress. As Haaland and his teammates arrived at Anfield, home fans greeted them with jeers, while banners mocked City’s financial turmoil. Outside the stadium, pre-match tensions flared when City supporters and Liverpool fans exchanged insults and provocative gestures before security intervened. The atmosphere inside was no calmer: Liverpool’s players faced repeated boos, and Guardiola was subjected to chants questioning his future at the club.
For Malaysian football fans and regional markets, the saga underscores the growing financial risks in European football, where transfer fees and wage bills now rival those of multinational corporations. The Premier League’s crackdown on financial irregularities—following similar probes into Chelsea and Manchester United—could reshape club valuations and investor confidence, with potential spillover effects on Asian sponsorship deals and broadcasting rights.
Meanwhile, City’s legal battle will dominate headlines until the appeal concludes, with the club’s commercial partners and global fanbase watching closely for signs of instability.