City fans hit back at ‘cheap shots’

MANCHESTER City supporters have hit back at criticism from former United players Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand over the lack of atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.

The high–profile pair expressed strong opinions about the crowd as City played out an unconvincing 1–1 draw with Roma on Tuesday.

Attendance was only 37,509, around 10,000 short of the ground’s current capacity. The atmosphere was subdued and Scholes, in his role as a pundit for ITV Sport said City’s European nights didn’t have a “special” feeling.

Ferdinand, now at QPR, used his Twitter feed to question why the club needs to expand (eventually to 62,000).

Andy Savage, who runs the website MCFCForum.com, felt they were cheap shots: “I took Rio Ferdinand to task on Twitter. He was taking the mickey out of the empty seats at the Etihad.

“Some people don't know where the next penny is coming from and he’s criticising them for not filling the stadium when the tickets are £35–plus.

"He was an absolute disgrace on Twitter, as was Scholes on ITV. They are multi–millionaires. They don’t give the man on the street a second thought.”

David Mooney, a host on the popular Blue Moon fans’ podcast, accepted the atmosphere was underwhelming: “I think it was very flat and I can see what they are getting at.

“But we have got multi–millionaires talking about empty seats in stands when ticket prices are as much as £40 and £50. You can understand people saying this is one game they are going to miss.”