Manchester City fans wave inflatable bananas at Anfield amid financial breach verdict

Supporters displayed bananas and protest banners while the club appealed a £900 million financial breach ruling.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 11 Oct 2026 20:50:24 GMT

Manchester City supporters filled Anfield with inflatable bananas and protest banners on Sunday as the Premier League clash with Liverpool unfolded, according to the Guardian and the Independent.

What happened

Fans gathered outside Anfield before kickoff, buying merchandise such as “Cheats” banners and “Guilty 114” flags that referenced an independent commission’s finding that City breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018. Inside the stadium, City supporters waved hundreds of inflatable bananas, a tradition revived from the late 1980s, while Liverpool fans displayed hostile banners and booed City players whenever they touched the ball in the opening minutes.

What the reports add

The Guardian described how City’s team bus entered the stadium from an unexpected side to avoid confrontation, noting that supporters on the streets used walls and rooftops to watch the arrival. It also highlighted that the “Cheats” banner mimicked the Oasis logo and that merchandise sellers priced flags at £15, haggling down to £10. The Independent added that the banana‑waving tradition was promoted by the supporters’ group 1894 and that the club was found guilty of inflating revenues by £900 million, using disguised funding schemes.

What was said

The Independent quoted the supporters’ group 1894 on Twitter: “The message – this fan base has always been on a rollercoaster.” The Guardian reported that the independent commission’s verdict was widely referenced at stalls outside the stadium, with fans buying items that displayed the “Guilty 114” label.

How it came about

The tense atmosphere follows an independent commission’s verdict earlier in the week that found Manchester City guilty of 114 of 115 alleged financial breaches, a story Felo covered on October 9. City have launched an appeal, maintaining they have “irrefutable evidence” to contest the ruling, as noted in the Independent’s coverage. Liverpool’s hostility echoes earlier fan unrest after City’s 2018 Champions League bus attack, a reference the Guardian linked to past incidents.

Key facts

Manchester City fans waved hundreds of inflatable bananas at Anfield. (independent.co.uk)
An independent commission found City guilty of 114 of 115 financial breaches, involving over £900 million. (theguardian.com)
City have appealed the verdict, claiming they have irrefutable evidence. (independent.co.uk)
Supporters sold protest merchandise such as “Guilty 114” flags and “Cheats” banners outside the stadium. (theguardian.com)
The banana‑waving tradition was revived by supporters’ group 1894. (independent.co.uk)