MANCHESTER CITY players have raised almost £10,000 to refund the fans who travelled to Norway for their “embarrassing” defeat to Bodo/Glimt.
A total of 374 supporters made the journey to the Arctic Circle but it turned into one of the club’s worst ever European nights.
Forward Erling Haaland had a nightmare return to his homeland and slammed the team’s performance in his post-match interviews.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward is on the captaincy committee at the Etihad with Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Rodri.
The Portuguese pair did not play in the Aspmyra Stadium but still endorsed the decision to reimburse those who made the trip.
It has cost a total of £9357 and a statement from the players said: “Our supporters mean everything to us.
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“We know the sacrifice that our fans make when they travel across the world to support us home and away and we will never take it for granted.
“We also recognise that it was a lot of travelling for the fans who supported us in the freezing cold throughout a difficult evening for us on the pitch.
“Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.
“We’re ready to fight on Saturday for our game against Wolves and then again next Wednesday when we face Galatasaray in front of our amazing fans at the Etihad.”
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The defeat was harder to take for City fans as it came hot on the heels of their derby horror show at Old Trafford on Saturday.
It was the first time Bodo had ever beaten English opposition in the Champions League – and the scoreline could have been much worse for the visitors.
It leaves them needing to beat the Turkish giants on Wednesday next week to have any chance of finishing in the top eight of the league phase.
Kevin Parker, speaking on behalf of City Official Supporters Club, applauded the gesture.
He said: “Bodo is not an easy place to get to, and the sub-zero temperatures made it a challenging evening on a number of levels for our fans.
“The City support has an incredible connection with the players on a matchday and this gesture is yet another reminder of that relationship – it means a lot to us.
“We know that the players are disappointed with the defeat to Bodo.
“But with our next game at home on Saturday there’s a chance to get back to winning ways and our fans will be in full voice, backing the team as they always do.”
