Man City branded ‘cheats’ in hostile Liverpool reception after guilty verdict

Manchester City were met with banners, jeers and chants of “cheats” at Anfield on Sunday in their first game since being found guilty of breaking the Premier League’s financial rules.

Thousands of Liverpool fans waited for the City team bus before the game, forcing it to change its usual route to avoid the crowds. Banners reading “Cheats” and “Shamchester City” greeted the visitors, and merchandise stalls sold flags and scarves mocking the club’s financial scandal. Supporters also chanted “going down” as the players arrived.

At the end of September, an independent commission upheld 114 of the 115 charges the Premier League brought against City over breaches of its financial rules. City are appealing and maintain their innocence. The club faces the threat of heavy sanctions, and there has been speculation about possible action to strip titles won during the period covered.

Liverpool were among the clubs most affected, having finished second to City three times in the past 12 years. Deafening jeers rang out each time City had the ball, but the team coached by Enzo Maresca stayed focused on the match and went on to win 3-0.

City’s next game is a Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, their first home match since the verdict.

Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN, Al Jazeera and beIN Sports, October 11, 2026.