Manchester City fans plan 'anti-UEFA protest'

Manchester City fans will do the ‘Poznan’ and display anti-UEFA banners when City will face Real Madrid next month – in protest over the club’s two-year Champions League ban.

Supporters want to use the game on March 17 as a show of unity, while simultaneously voicing their contempt for UEFA following its decision to punish City over alleged Financial Fair Play violations.

City fans have booed the Champions League anthem many times in recent years and they believe ‘turning their backs’ this time will provide greater significance.

“The banners will probably be pretty straight to the point about UEFA,” said Kevin Parker – general secretary of Manchester City Supporters’ Club – told Mail Sport.

“They can be very creative. It won’t be a smiley face, put it that way.”

“We think the Poznan is the ideal scenario – it would work for this,”added Parker. “I’ve always liked it. It’s something visual and everyone can get involved.

“It’s been spontaneous in the past but this is probably the first organised one. The idea is gathering pace. Everybody do the Poznan: turn your back on UEFA and be together as one.

“Fans would be told to be in the stadium by the time the teams come out, and in position to turn their backs on the anthem.”