Manchester City players have pledged to refund match tickets to supporters who travelled to northern Norway for the club’s 3–1 Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt, following what was one of the most disappointing European results in the club’s history.
The decision affects 374 City fans who made the long journey to the Aspmyra Stadion, located inside the Arctic Circle, where freezing temperatures and difficult travel conditions added to an already frustrating night on the pitch. Tickets for the match cost approximately £25 each.
Players Issue Apology and Gesture
In a joint statement released on Wednesday by the club’s leadership group — Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland — the players acknowledged the sacrifice made by travelling supporters and confirmed they would personally cover the cost of the tickets.
“Our supporters mean everything to us,” the statement said.
“We understand the effort and expense involved in travelling such a long distance, especially in extreme conditions. Covering the cost of the tickets is the least we can do.”
Historic Result for Bodo/Glimt
The defeat marked Bodo/Glimt’s first-ever Champions League group-stage victory, a landmark moment for the Norwegian side. The contrast between the two clubs was stark: the town of Bodo has a population of around 55,000, fewer than the capacity of City’s Etihad Stadium, while the financial gap between the teams is significant.
City’s Poor Run of Form
The loss added to a worrying spell for City. The Premier League champions have managed just two wins in their last seven matches, both coming in domestic cup competitions — against Exeter City in the FA Cup and Newcastle United in the League Cup semi-final first leg.
City are still without a Premier League win this year, and a recent 2–0 defeat to Manchester United left them seven points behind league leaders Arsenal, increasing pressure on the squad.
Fans Welcome the Move
The gesture was praised by Kevin Parker, a representative of Manchester City’s official supporters’ club, who described it as a sign of the strong bond between players and fans.
“City supporters will go anywhere to back the team, even to the Arctic Circle,” Parker said.
“This was a tough trip in sub-zero temperatures, and the players’ response shows how much they value the fans. It means a great deal to us.”
The refund initiative has been widely viewed as a show of accountability from the players at a time when performances on the field have fallen short of expectations.
Source: Africa Publicity
