Manchester City’s players have agreed to refund all travelling supporters who attended the club’s humiliating Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt in Norway, following widespread criticism of the team’s performance in freezing Arctic conditions.
The Premier League champions suffered a shocking 3–1 loss to the Norwegian side at Aspmyra Stadion, a result striker Erling Haaland openly described as “embarrassing.” City’s night went from bad to worse in the second half when midfielder Rodri was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side struggling to recover.
The defeat came just four days after City were comfortably beaten in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, extending a worrying run of form. Guardiola’s men have now managed just two wins in their last seven matches across all competitions, raising concerns among fans and pundits alike about the team’s consistency at a crucial stage of the season.
Despite the disappointing display on the pitch, City’s travelling supporters showed remarkable commitment. Hundreds of fans made the demanding journey to the Arctic Circle, first flying to Oslo before travelling onwards to Bodo. They then stood in sub-zero temperatures throughout the match as City laboured against their well-organised hosts.
In recognition of that effort, the City squad have committed to reimbursing supporters for the cost of their match tickets, totalling £9,357. A statement issued on behalf of the players by Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland expressed sincere appreciation for the loyalty of the club’s fanbase.
“Our supporters mean everything to us,” the statement read. “We understand the sacrifices our fans make to follow us home and away, and we never take that support for granted.”
The players added that they fully recognised the difficulty of the journey and the harsh conditions endured on a night that proved deeply frustrating on the pitch.
“We recognise the effort involved in travelling such a long distance and standing in freezing conditions on a difficult night for us. Covering the cost of these tickets is the least we can do,” the statement continued.
A total of 374 away supporters were present at Aspmyra Stadion, witnessing what many have described as one of the biggest upsets in recent Champions League history. The result further underlined the unpredictable nature of European football, particularly when elite teams are faced with unfamiliar conditions and highly motivated opponents.
Reacting to the gesture, Kevin Parker, speaking on behalf of Manchester City’s official supporters’ club, praised both the fans and the players. He noted that City supporters “will travel to the ends of the earth to support the team,” describing the refund as a classy and respectful response.
The players have now turned their attention to responding positively on the pitch. City return to domestic action on Saturday with a league fixture against Wolves, before hosting Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium in their next Champions League outing, where they will be eager to restore pride and momentum.
