Manchester City has apologised to the family of Sir Bobby Charlton after a video emerged of their fans singing a vile chant about the Manchester United legend following his death at 86.
The United and England icon passed away on Saturday September 21st, leaving the football world in mourning.
Meanwhile, City supporters have been heavily criticized after some were heard singing offensive chants about him during their 2-1 win over Brighton over the weekend.
A video circulating on social media shows a group of supporters dressed in Manchester City-branded clothing chanting ‘Bobby’s in a box’ at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City has apologised to Charlton’s family and has appealed for information about the chants and vowing to issue banning orders to any offenders.
The statement read: ‘Manchester City FC are extremely disappointed to have learned of reports of offensive chanting from a small number of individuals about Sir Bobby Charlton in some of the concourses of the Etihad Stadium during half time of yesterday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion.
‘The club condemns these chants in the strongest terms, and apologises unreservedly to the family and friends of Sir Bobby, and to all those at Manchester United.
‘On this day of all days, when the stadium stood to pay tribute to our own legend in Francis Lee, Manchester City supporters should understand and appreciate as keenly as anyone the need for respect in our game.
‘Our security team are studying CCTV footage of the concourse areas. We are thankful to those who have already come forward to report this matter, and we continue to appeal for any information that can help us identify the individuals involved, so that we can take the appropriate action to issue banning orders.
‘Fans who see or hear abusive behaviour are encouraged to text 0770 0151 894 to make our dedicated security team aware of what they have witnessed.’
Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals for the Red Devils across a 17-year period – and also picked up 106 caps for England, scoring 49 times.