The 1894 Group have sent an urgent letter to Manchester City raising fan safety concerns ahead of the upcoming clash against Manchester United later this month.
It comes after numerous videos circulated across social media following Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League earlier this month, revealing two incidents from the travelling supporters’ allocation at Anfield.
One image appeared to show a number of supporters intent on filming Mohamed Salah’s match-winning penalty for Liverpool from the Manchester City allocated section of fans on Merseyside.
Another image from the away end on Sunday when Salah takes the pen. All very well saying get behind the team when people who want to get behind the team can’t get in. pic.twitter.com/WTWzM7gq1H
— 1894 (@WeAre1894) December 4, 2024
However, the video that caused most concern appeared to show a number of men wearing FC Barcelona shirts within the travelling section of Manchester City fans, with many believing that it was a direct result of tickets being issued to third-party sellers.
Now, in a direct response to Manchester City in the lead-up to one of the biggest matches of the domestic football calendar, the largest independent supporter representative group at the Etihad Stadium has demanded answers from officials.
It is understood that The 1894 Group have now sent a letter to Manchester City highlighting fans’ safety concerns following the emergence of a video showcasing a number of men wearing Barcelona shirts in the club’s away end at Anfield earlier this month.
It is believed that as part of the letter to the Premier League champions, The 1894 Group have asked the club to clarify how many seats at both home and away games go to ‘third party suppliers’.
The timing of the letter is of most importance, with it being highlighted by the group that with the Manchester derby coming soon at the Etihad Stadium, there is now the believe that fans’ safety is compromised.
Finally, Manchester City are understood to have been asked by The 1894 Group to provide more information as to what happened at Anfield in the aforementioned incident, and also to not let fans’ representatives – who volunteer their time for free – to try to provide explanations.
Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Premier League action on Sunday 15 December, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 (UK) and broadcast live on Sky Sports for those in the United Kingdom.