Vincent Kompany defends Manchester City fans over UEFA investigations

Vincent Kompany has launched a staunch defence of Manchester City’s fans in the wake of UEFA launching an investigation into the booing of the Champions League anthem by the club’s supporters, British media reported.

European football’s governing body launched disciplinary proceedings against City under regulations concerning the “disruption of the competition anthem” for the incident before the Premier League club’s 2-1 home win over Sevilla on Oct. 21.

“There is nothing holy about the Champions League anthem,” Kompany said.

“It’s a joke. We have played many games in Europe where there has been racial abuse — we have had to put up with it.”

City’s fans are frustrated with UEFA over the organisation’s decision to play a Champions League match against CSKA Moscow behind closed doors last year because of a series of offences, including racial abuse, from the Russian club’s fans.

City supporters who paid to travel to Moscow for the game were not compensated by UEFA, while some CSKA fans were reported to have attended the fixture.

“UEFA can do what they want to do, but in the end if people feel it’s the right thing to do, they have the right to do it,” the City captain said.

“How else can they show their frustration and somehow have a voice that matters?

“The fact that we were given the sanction is actually drawing more attention to what they are trying to do. We support our fans,” the 29-year-old added.

UEFA’s disciplinary body will consider the case against City on November 19 and a charge could follow.

Meanwhile, Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy could make a return to Manchester City’starting line up when they clash with Sevilla in their Champions League meeting at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Spain on Tuesday.

The two have had barely any football between them this season but showed no injury concerns as they trained ahead of the match. David Silva, who last played for the Blues in the 6-1 drubbing of Newcastle will still miss in action.

Silva is still sidelined with an ankle injury.